TEMPTATION

Oscar Wilde is famous for saying, "I can resist anything but temptation." Temptation is one of the certainties of the Christian life; we never fully, permanently escape its presence. And we soon discover that once one temptation loses its power over us, another one comes along to take its place.

There's a Frank and Ernest cartoon where Frank asks, "Why is it that opportunity knocks only once, but every day temptation beats down my door?" Do you ever feel that way?

Jesus understands. Hebrews 4:15 tells us: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin."

The apostle Paul wrote this encouragement to us in 1 Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

When you go through the desert — when you struggle with an onslaught of temptation — it doesn't mean that God has abandoned you, it means that he is preparing you for something big. So prepare yourself. Spend time in the Word everyday. Spend time in prayer everyday. Decide now that God is first in your life, and there will be no shortcuts. When you endure, God will bring his glory to fulfillment in your life.

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