Tempted...

What tempts you? Most of what tempts us in this world is not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, it may be a great thing, just at the wrong time, wrong place or in the wrong amount. Food is a great thing! I love to eat, and over the next month, like you, I will get plenty of opportunities to eat a lot of really good food. The temptation for me will be to not eat too much!

A lot of people think that temptation is a sin. Temptation isn’t the sin; giving into the temptation is. Jesus taught us to pray: 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:13. Jesus knew that we would face very real temptations in this world. Jesus faced temptation at the very beginning of His public ministry – Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus endured three temptations that are common to all of us – 1) Craving of the flesh, 2) Pursuing foolish acts, and 3) Longing of the eyes. Yet, He didn’t give in. So how did He overcome those temptations? For one, He knew and trusted scripture! Again and again, he answered the devil’s challenges with scripture, saying “It is written…”

When Jesus faced those temptations, he was hungry, weak and vulnerable. We all have our own vulnerabilities and weaknesses that can cause us to falter and fail. How can we overcome those temptations?

Count on the Holy Spirit to help you…