Temptation
First seen in Genesis, when Satan tempted Eve. Eating the fruit from the forbidden tree looked harmless enough and even beneficial. The fruit was pretty and tasted good. Satan offered to fulfill Eve's desire for personal gain. She would be like God. As long as sin is in the world we face temptation. Temptation holds the same pull, now, as it did in the garden. It's pretty, tastes good, and will make us feel important. The master of our own fate. Our temptation may be as simple as joining in the gossip, to feel included, or telling a lie for personal gain or to avoid punishment.

The Bible is full of stories of real people who succumbed to temptation. Our sins may not look as bad as some of them. But in this article, I?m not looking at people and their many failures. I'm looking at God's sovereignty and his word. He promises to bring his children through every trial and every temptation.

A few of the tools God provides:

• Christian friends: He gives us brothers and sisters in Christ to share burdens, to encourage, and to help us stand strong. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 we learn that two are better than one. If one falls, the other will lift him up. We weren't meant to fight the battle alone. We're talking about godly friends here. Right relationships never distract us from God. They bring us closer.



• The Holy Spirit, promised in John 14:26. He lives in me! He teaches. He reminds me of God?s word.
  Jesus prepared his disciples for his ascension. He would be leaving them to be at the right hand of God the Father. Though he would no longer be with them physically, but he promised his disciples a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would remind them of his teachings. The Holy Spirit is with us as well. As we study the Bible, he plants truth in our mind and convinces us of God's will.



• According to Romans 8:34, Jesus prays for us. What more could we ask? Jesus, who saved us and died in our place, is at the right hand of God praying for us. Satan condemns us, but his accusations are worthless. God has acquitted us. Jesus stands the right hand of God the Father in our defense. He lives to intercede for us.


• 1 Corinthians 10.13 tells us God knows every temptation before we face it. He promises we won't be tempted beyond our ability and that he will provide a way of escape. We can resist temptation because he is faithful. We can resist temptation because he provides a way out.



• In the Old Testament, the high priest offered sacrifices for the sin of the people. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us Jesus is our High Priest. He offered himself as the perfect and permanent sacrifice. He knows and experienced every human weakness yet remained sinless. He invites us to approach the throne to receive mercy and grace.


• Jesus is our rest. Are you tired of the struggle? Is it too much to bear? Jesus will take the weight onto his shoulders. Matthew 11:28

With these promises, with God, I am strong.

As 2 Timothy 2:22 advises, I will run from evil and pursue righteousness, because with my Sovereign God, I can.


Relaxing reading. Clean Christian fiction.