Regarding the Good that Can Come Out of Being Tempted…

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability…(I Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

Temptation in and of itself is not a sin. Everyone will have and face temptations over their lifetime. God will test us, but he will never tempt us. Temptations are all around us. The world is full of them and some come directly from the devil. He devises temptations suited especially for us to lead us into sin and disrupt our relationship with God. However, Paul reminds us that God will never allow a temptation to come to us that we don’t already have the ability to resist or overcome.

The last thing the devil wants us to do when we are faced with temptation, is take time to pray, take time to call upon the Lord for strength and help, take time to remember we are equipped with faith, strength, and the armor of God and can resist what is being brought to us. It may not be easy or without effort on our part, we may have to struggle, call upon our prayer partners and warriors to help us overcome, reject, and resist, but we can do it with the Lord’s help, trusting in his promises. 

Although nothing about being temped seems good, it can actually serve a purpose if we let it: temptation can also teach us a lot about ourselves. Through the very thing which tempts us we can recognize our own vulnerabilities, our own weaknesses, in what ways we are still attracted or attached to the world, still have an old mindset and way of thinking, recognizing the ways our flesh still controls us, and the areas we struggle.

In this way, temptation can turn out to be an instrument for good though the devil intended to use it as an instrument for harm. As it turns out temptation can help us discover important things about ourselves and glorify God for a powerful testimony! Let’s Pray,

May we see, Lord, our true selves whenever we are faced with temptation. Now, we can rejoice at what temptation exposes and reveals and determine to be built up I the places we are weak and at risk spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and in all areas. Amen    

Reflective Questions for Self and Soul-Tending:

Have you had the experience of giving in to temptation? What about triumphing over temptation? As you look back, can you see how the temptation itself exposed and revealed something very important for you to know about yourself?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of self and soul-care?