Facing Our Temptations

I was in the store yesterday and observed a couple shopping. A fine woman in a short tight dress walked by & the man's eyes followed her as she passed. Without even looking up his wife said, "Was it worth the trouble you're in now?" That's the problem with temptation.

The devil is clever enough to note our habits & observes our hangouts, then he lays out appealing bait just like a fisherman. He can't make us bite, but he knows what happens inside us once we catch a glimpse of his tantalizing bait! Our fleshly nature draws to it, lingering, toying with it & rolling it over in our minds until it consumes our imagination. And that's when the struggle begins because our conscience tells us it's wrong to succumb...but the bait LOOKS SO GOOD!

Each temptation ends with a response...either resist or yield to it. If you've ever resisted it you know the feeling of freedom it brings. Conversely, anyone who's yielded knows the feeling of emptiness that follows when the pain of the devil's hook is in your cheek! And he's always lurking in the shadows, watching & waiting for the next vulnerable moment to strike:

When you're weak - expect a major ssault * When you resist - be ready for a different approach * When he leaves - count on another attack

It's been my experience that by praying, avoiding compromising situations, engaging in Bible study & revealing your struggle to a Godly friend (someone you trust), you can effectively resist temptation (that's why spritual friendships are so important). The more I think about it, for Christians, temptation is really a compliment because it means that you're living for God & headed in the right direction, so Satan has a contract out on you & he roams the earth like a roaring lion, seeking to devour you!

Temptation is stronger than we are, but the God in us is stronger than the temptation. So now when the devil comes knocking at the door of my heart & asks who lives here...Jesus goes to the door & says,"Tim used to live here, he's moved out, now I live here!"

Remember, when Christ fills our lives, Satan has no entrance!