Temptation(s) Will Come

Ever thought that being saved would deliver you from temptation and from all the sins that we indulged in prior to salvation? Ever think salvation was a shield to being exposed to sin? Well unfortunately, we still live in a fallen world where the norm is being selfish and all about instant gratification and pleasure. This fallen world would have you believe as long as you like it, it’s good for you. It would tell you, get yours no matter the cost to others. This is why we must have a strategy for how we will deal with temptation, which will lead us to sin. 

According to James 1:14, we are tempted when we are lured and enticed by our own desires. So, how do make sure we are not lured or enticed by our desires? We need to know ourselves and spend time with God. The bible says God will give us the desires of our heart (Psa 37:4). So, if we seek Him diligently, His desires become ours. The more time we spend with Him, the less time we have to indulge the things that will draw us away from God. 

We are not strong (2 Cor 12:9-11). Understanding that about ourselves will help us to know that we can not fight our temptations on our own. We must flee from them (Matt 26:41). If our friends are bad influences on us, then we need new friends. If we have a habit that binds us and leads us away from God, then we need to change our habits and limit our access to make it difficult to participate in the habit. When we indulge in habits or activities that cause shame, in many cases, we listen to our enemy, who tells us we’re not enough or that God can’t love us since we are caught up or bound by something. The opposite is true – Jesus died for us when we didn’t even know Him. Jesus was set on the path of redemption all the way back in the Garden when he was introduced in Gen 3:15. At no time has God not loved us. Even when we don’t choose Him, He still loves us and His desire is that none would be lost (2 Pet 3:9). 

We have to remember that we have a very real enemy who HATES us because God LOVES us. He will use our desires and wants to lead us into sin, which leads to death (Jam 1:15). That is his ultimate play. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and he will use all his tricks and tools to separate us from God. But the bible is true. I am convinced just like Paul that nothing can separate us from the love of God and if nothing can separate us from His love (Rom 8:38-39), we must always remember that we can come to Him when we are tempted and that He will always provide a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13). 

Temptations will come, but we don’t have to give in. Jesus has already triumphed over sin and death and because He has, we who are in Him can too. Be blessed.