Game Changer
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
Some devotionals speak to me more than others. Today's is what I like to call a “Game Changer” because I know for some reading today these truths below are game changers for you, for those who want nothing more than to walk in greater victory in your day to day lives.
I like this definition for temptation: Anything or anyone that promises satisfaction at the cost of my obedience to God. It is important to remember, God had One Son without sin, God has No son without temptation. The point is, everyone of us will face temptation in this life. Jesus was led of the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus defeated the devil and His life is a model of how we need to approach temptation too. Go back and re read 1 Corinthians 10:13 which tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” The key to remember is, “But with the temptation God will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Many people face temptation the same way that the guy named Bob who wanted to lose weight and prayed for God to help him. Before he would leave for work each morning he would pray. “God, you know I can’t resist a fresh made jelly filled donut. I ask you in the name of Jesus that on my drive to work today that when I drive by the “Donut Hut” that there wouldn’t be any available parking spaces.” As Bob approached the Donut Hut he saw that there were no available parking spaces. He honked his horn and let out a “praise you Jesus” as he drove by. Twenty minutes later Bob walked into his office munching down a jelly filled donut along with a bag that contained another donut for later that afternoon. His collages all knew that Bob was vowing off donuts and asked him about it. Bob said that he had prayed that morning that God wouldn’t let the there be any parking spots in front of the Donut Hut when he passed by. He said it took seven trips around the block before a spot opened up and he took that as a sign from God that getting a jelly filled donut was Ok because had God not wanted him to eat the donut He wouldn’t have opened up a parking space. Obviously Bob missed the way of escape.
Nothing scientific here but the way out of temptation the Bible teaches us is the same for each person. Turning to Jesus! Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The point is, we are able to escape! We are not called to resist temptation, we are told we can escape it. Run from it! Why would we want to resist something we can escape? The question that begs to be asked today is there a way we can be better prepared for the temptations that will surely come our way? The answer is yes and below are 4 truths we need to remember about temptation.
1. It’s not a sin to be tempted.
Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” There is an old saying that goes, “Its ok to notice it’s not ok to focus.” We tend to medicate our guilt with sin
2. No one is above temptation
God had One Son without sin, God has No son without temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Have you ever listened to a sermon and said to yourself. Oh man I wish so and so was here as THEY need to hear this message. That usually means I needed to hear what was being said. Don’t forget, the devil comes at both our weaknesses and our strengths. Don’t over estimate yourself. James 4:6, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
3. God will never tempt you.
God tests us but He never tempts us! Here is an important truth to remember, “A Test is to move you forward. Temptation is to move you backwards.” James 1:13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
Temptation comes from our own desires. Our natural bend is away from God not towards God. Temptations entice and drag us away…Desire turns into a sinful action…Sin grows into death…All sin leads to death… God calls us to follow Him not in our own strength but in His strength. Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ.
4. There is always a way out of temptation.
Jesus is the way! Big or small…1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Don’t ever forget. You are never above temptation. The moment you think you are standing firm is the moment you are most vulnerable. To be human is to be tempted. Coming to Christ does not mean the absence of temptation but now we are empowered to battle the temptations that are already there. In the majority of fatal airplane crashes most people don’t die from the crash itself they die from asphyxiation because they got trapped on the plane and disoriented in the smoke and fire because they didn’t know where the EXITS were. Always know where the exits are with regard to temptation. Always be looking.
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
I LOVE YOU!
1 Corinthians 10:13
Some devotionals speak to me more than others. Today's is what I like to call a “Game Changer” because I know for some reading today these truths below are game changers for you, for those who want nothing more than to walk in greater victory in your day to day lives.
I like this definition for temptation: Anything or anyone that promises satisfaction at the cost of my obedience to God. It is important to remember, God had One Son without sin, God has No son without temptation. The point is, everyone of us will face temptation in this life. Jesus was led of the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus defeated the devil and His life is a model of how we need to approach temptation too. Go back and re read 1 Corinthians 10:13 which tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” The key to remember is, “But with the temptation God will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Many people face temptation the same way that the guy named Bob who wanted to lose weight and prayed for God to help him. Before he would leave for work each morning he would pray. “God, you know I can’t resist a fresh made jelly filled donut. I ask you in the name of Jesus that on my drive to work today that when I drive by the “Donut Hut” that there wouldn’t be any available parking spaces.” As Bob approached the Donut Hut he saw that there were no available parking spaces. He honked his horn and let out a “praise you Jesus” as he drove by. Twenty minutes later Bob walked into his office munching down a jelly filled donut along with a bag that contained another donut for later that afternoon. His collages all knew that Bob was vowing off donuts and asked him about it. Bob said that he had prayed that morning that God wouldn’t let the there be any parking spots in front of the Donut Hut when he passed by. He said it took seven trips around the block before a spot opened up and he took that as a sign from God that getting a jelly filled donut was Ok because had God not wanted him to eat the donut He wouldn’t have opened up a parking space. Obviously Bob missed the way of escape.
Nothing scientific here but the way out of temptation the Bible teaches us is the same for each person. Turning to Jesus! Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The point is, we are able to escape! We are not called to resist temptation, we are told we can escape it. Run from it! Why would we want to resist something we can escape? The question that begs to be asked today is there a way we can be better prepared for the temptations that will surely come our way? The answer is yes and below are 4 truths we need to remember about temptation.
1. It’s not a sin to be tempted.
Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” There is an old saying that goes, “Its ok to notice it’s not ok to focus.” We tend to medicate our guilt with sin
2. No one is above temptation
God had One Son without sin, God has No son without temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Have you ever listened to a sermon and said to yourself. Oh man I wish so and so was here as THEY need to hear this message. That usually means I needed to hear what was being said. Don’t forget, the devil comes at both our weaknesses and our strengths. Don’t over estimate yourself. James 4:6, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
3. God will never tempt you.
God tests us but He never tempts us! Here is an important truth to remember, “A Test is to move you forward. Temptation is to move you backwards.” James 1:13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
Temptation comes from our own desires. Our natural bend is away from God not towards God. Temptations entice and drag us away…Desire turns into a sinful action…Sin grows into death…All sin leads to death… God calls us to follow Him not in our own strength but in His strength. Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ.
4. There is always a way out of temptation.
Jesus is the way! Big or small…1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Don’t ever forget. You are never above temptation. The moment you think you are standing firm is the moment you are most vulnerable. To be human is to be tempted. Coming to Christ does not mean the absence of temptation but now we are empowered to battle the temptations that are already there. In the majority of fatal airplane crashes most people don’t die from the crash itself they die from asphyxiation because they got trapped on the plane and disoriented in the smoke and fire because they didn’t know where the EXITS were. Always know where the exits are with regard to temptation. Always be looking.
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
I LOVE YOU!
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