By Steven Temple

Contributing Columnist

 

Temptation is something that tries to lure you in with a false hope of satisfaction. That can come in many different forms. It does not always have to be something that you desire. It can trick your mind into believing this temptation will be so satisfying to you that you desire it above all.

We all deal with temptations in our lives. There are so many different avenues that we can find temptation in. Many of us lose the battle of this temptation so easily. Just a quick thought can cause us to delve into things that we normally would have no part in. Other times, it is something that we have done in the past but have laid down, but it still has the power to entice us.

Many times, especially in the new beginning of each year, we find so many that decide they are going to go on a diet or begin to work out. So many different resolutions that we make and in trying to keep those plans we find ourselves facing temptations. From not letting ourselves indulge in a sweet treat or skipping a day at the gym for some other reason.

Television targets us all the time with temptations. They will have these commercials that try to lure us to buy this product or that product or this food or that food. It gets in our minds, and they advertise it so well that it convinces us that we must purchase whatever they are advertising. It is not only with products or food that they bring temptation to our minds. The television depicts a fantasy life through many of its shows or movies that are on the screen for us to watch.

Many of the temptations that we encounter seem to have a great pull or heavy draw to them. This draw can cause us to forget all about our resolution or commitment that we have made. They may seem great in strength, but they do not have power over you. You submit to the pressure tactics that are created in your mind.

The Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that temptations are common to man. We all face these things in our lives; however, God also gives us a way of escape in these. We can always find an “out” or our escape. Many times, this escape is just the word, no. We can use this in order to stop ourselves from falling into these temptations. Temptation does not hear the word no from your lips or your mind. It will continue to present itself, but you must make yourself heed to your decision. You must make the decision yourself not to indulge in that temptation that has enticed you.

We are all guilty of falling into temptation in our lives, but we must be willing to say no and depart from these things that will hinder us in our walk with the Lord. God will not leave us helpless, in all ways, He will give us a way of escape from these. We can change the channel, we can end the conversation, we can think of other things, we can boldly walk away. Temptation of temptation will be present as long as there is breath in our bodies, but we must learn to overcome them. The more we stand against these temptations, the easier it will become to avoid them in the future. Think about it today, if you would have just said no, how would things be different for you today?

Pastor Steven Temple is the Pastor of The Church on the Hill in Rose Hill, VA. Pastor Steven can be reached by email at pastor.steven.temple@gmail.com