Temptation

Temptation is something that each and every one of us deals with each and every day.  It's not the fact that we're being tempted that should worry us, for that is inevitable.  It's how we respond to that temptation that should get our attention.  There are two main things we should do if we are struggling with temptation.

The first is to get closer to God.  Every person, even those who have a close walk with God, are bombarded with temptation, and sometimes they fail.  It is part of the human condition: we, despite being saved and justified by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, are still flesh and bone beings that are limited and weak.  We are still affected by our sinful nature.  However, those who pull closer to God through prayer, reading his word, and trying to walk with him in obedience will be less likely to trip and fall at every step.  One of the main goals in each of our lives should be to get to know Jesus better, day by day.  As you draw nearer to God, it allows God and his spirit to have a greater influence on every aspect of your life.  Reading God's word daily will imprint his truths onto your heart, allowing you to pull from memories pieces of scriptures that will help you power through moments of temptation.  God is our shield and our stronghold and our strength, and the closer you are to him, the more protected you are from the evils of temptation.

The second thing is more practical.  If you are struggling with temptation in a particular area, it is wise to attempt to remove or limit that temptation in your life, or at least make it less directly appealing.  If you struggle with lust and pornography, put blockers on your  computer or phone and get an accountability partner.  If you struggle with overeating, don't go to buffets or other places where you tend to overeat.  If you drink too much, stay away from bars and liquor stores and other places that may tempt you.  Whatever your temptation is, remove its influence from your life.  It is better to lose an eye than to be cast into damnation with two eyes, as the scriptures say.  Being aware of one's one limitations - and we all have them - is one of the key steps you can take to limit sin's grasp on your life.  Admit that you are weak and accept God's strength as the foundation of your life.  Those who do not admit their weaknesses are more likely to fall by them.  Do not feel shame at the weaknesses you have, for we all have them.  Accept them, draw close to God, and do what you need to do to ensure that those weaknesses will not gain a foothold on your life. 

Whether or not most of us or the world understands this, the single most important thing in life is not our job description or our bank account.  It is our relationship with Jesus.  It is drawing closer to him while living in a broken world.  It is what we do with the gifts he has given us in this life and following his will.  If we have no self-control and allow our lives to be overrun by temptation, we are hampering our own relationship with God.  We will never be perfect in these bodies, but walking a life not dictated by temptation and drawing closer to God are important steps to fulfilling God's will for our lives.