I used to follow the world’s way.
Listening to bad advice. Following the scent of sin and greed. Why was it appealing?
Seems that’s the point. Dealing with temptation wasn’t meant to be easy.
It’s like in movies when the hungry character comes upon a table set up with a gorgeous feast. It looks so tempting… and the look on the character’s face says “Maybe just one grape. Who would notice?”
Watching it we know something isn’t right. We want to scream “Get out of there!”
But we wait and see if the character is smart enough to know better.
We hope for the best.
Living in Faith Means Dealing with Temptation in Faith
Life can be a lot like the movies. We’re faced with decisions and sometimes we have no idea what the “right” choice is. Sometimes we know, but don’t feel we can trust it.
We calculate our risk. We wonder if we’re being smart or foolish.
We wonder if anyone will notice — and get paralyzed between putting our trust in the world, and trusting in God. Jeremiah 17:7-8 reminds us:
““But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.””
Living in the world means facing temptation daily. Jesus didn’t say that by becoming saved we would have no problems. He didn’t even say we’d have fewer problems or deal with less temptation. He said that in this life we would experience MANY troubles.
We can’t handle it alone.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Our faith is put to the test every time we’re tempted by evil — our knees shake when we meet Goliath, our heart pounds when we must choose to take action or remain quiet, our lack of control blinds us in moments we need our sight — but let us remember that Jesus is stronger. He will lead us and guide us through the situation. We can trust that he is the truth, and truth is not the temptation that threatens us.
We can deal with temptation in faith — by praying to God for courage, trusting that his spirit is with us and believing that Jesus overcame death. Nothing is stronger than that.
“But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
As always Jen, a great post.There’s a temptation to believe that we’re immune from hardships, unfair events, tragedies & temptations once we believe in Jesus. Wouldn’t that be great if it were true? But then how would God ever teach us, mould us into the person he wants us to be? How would we learn compassion, lean on him, get to enjoy victory, feel his love for us? I confess that there are times I tell God I wish he hadn’t given us free will & that it sucks because I stuff up. But to grow in any area of life we must face challenges. God made it that way & the walk of faith is no different.
I used to think “temptation” was associated always with lustful temptation, never realizing we are tempted by worry, stress, bad moods, overreactions, etc. And I completely agree that free will allows us to grow — especially in moments when temptation and attack are strong!
Great post. I agree and have realized that as I give more of myself over to God and His will for my life, there is the temptation to hold on to ‘self’ and this world. After all, that is what we are taught in society: it is about us, our needs, wants, desires, etc.
When we stepped out in faith last year to bring home an eleven year old boy from Ethiopia, satan repeatedly attacked….hitting on fears, worries, and many ‘what-ifs’. I often wonder why God lets this happen, but usually get the answer months and years later in the form of stronger faith and character. When we are tested and persevere (with God’s help), we are better able to stand up against the next test. In our case, we plan to head back to Ethiopia for one of two older HIV+ children. Children of God who are in many ways the lepers of this day. We could be tempted to follow the ways of the world and (logically, rationally) write off these children as somebody else’s concern, or we could do what God is calling us to do and provide them a loving home, educate people and the truth about HIV, and seek to lessen and/or eliminate the stigma associated with this virus.
Indeed, temptation wears many faces…but the Truth wears only one!
Thank you Monica — this is an amazing testimony of going by faith! What a calling from the Lord.
I can imagine you feel a lot of attack as you welcome more family members into the good soil of a life in God. We will pray for you and your family. You are an inspiration.
For readers interested in learning more about going by faith through the adoption process, Monica’s blog “God’s Perfect Timing” can be found here: http://www.heisalwaysontime.blogspot.com/
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints here n Liberia, West Africa. I love these motivational quotes and experiences shared by Jesus on Temptation. Could you share with me, if you have weekly newsletter or faith building booklet to increase my prayers and reliance on Jesus?