“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Being tempted is not sin; giving in to it is. Therefore, it is imperative there be no flag of surrender.
I have found a great number of those who have yielded fell for the lie the devil told them, “Your temptation is greater than others, God will understand if you submit.” And so they pride themselves that their particular enticement was different from anyone else’s, among God’s people. True, it may not have been the same in kind, but it can be the same in intensity. Sorry Mr. or Mrs. Narcissus, you’re not the only one, it’s common to all.
How some love to broadcast their great temptation in front of groups, councillors, and those close to them. Interestingly, Jesus never mentioned to anyone His temptation on the Mount, nor that in the Garden. God only knows those precious souls who fought it through behind closed doors, and came out victorious. There is always a way out, As my pastor says, “When tempted, look for the escape hatch.”
It would be well for each of us who have “pity parties” when severely tempted, to remind ourselves to, “Consider HIM that endured...lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
“A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later.” C. S. Lewis.
I have found a great number of those who have yielded fell for the lie the devil told them, “Your temptation is greater than others, God will understand if you submit.” And so they pride themselves that their particular enticement was different from anyone else’s, among God’s people. True, it may not have been the same in kind, but it can be the same in intensity. Sorry Mr. or Mrs. Narcissus, you’re not the only one, it’s common to all.
How some love to broadcast their great temptation in front of groups, councillors, and those close to them. Interestingly, Jesus never mentioned to anyone His temptation on the Mount, nor that in the Garden. God only knows those precious souls who fought it through behind closed doors, and came out victorious. There is always a way out, As my pastor says, “When tempted, look for the escape hatch.”
It would be well for each of us who have “pity parties” when severely tempted, to remind ourselves to, “Consider HIM that endured...lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
“A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later.” C. S. Lewis.
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