Saying No to Temptation
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
I have a good friend who went on a weight loss program. He was jogging every day and watching what he ate. He had a curious habit of taking a big Snickers candy bar and putting it on his desk, right in front of himself. Then he would say, “No, Snickers, you're not getting me today!” I asked him if it works, and he said, “Sometimes!”
That is not how God wants you to deal with temptation. He does want you to say “No,” but he doesn't want you to put yourself in a place of temptation. Many of us expose ourselves to temptation, just to play mind games so that we can be victorious.
The reality is that we put ourselves in a place of temptation and our flesh tends to push us in that direction. It is like the old Flip Wilson character, Geraldine. When she went shopping, she would say she was looking at a purse and she ended up buying it. She didn't want to buy it, but her explanation was, “The devil just got behind me and pushed. The devil made me do it!”
With many of us, we respond to the push and the tug of the evil one, rather than just saying, “No” to our flesh, “No” to our desires, “No” to any shortcut, and “No” to Satan.
Jesus said “No” to Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). It is important that you understand the power of saying, “No.” You don't have to give in; you don't need to have sin in your life. You can overcome this temptation, but you must learn to say, “No!”
I have a good friend who went on a weight loss program. He was jogging every day and watching what he ate. He had a curious habit of taking a big Snickers candy bar and putting it on his desk, right in front of himself. Then he would say, “No, Snickers, you're not getting me today!” I asked him if it works, and he said, “Sometimes!”
That is not how God wants you to deal with temptation. He does want you to say “No,” but he doesn't want you to put yourself in a place of temptation. Many of us expose ourselves to temptation, just to play mind games so that we can be victorious.
The reality is that we put ourselves in a place of temptation and our flesh tends to push us in that direction. It is like the old Flip Wilson character, Geraldine. When she went shopping, she would say she was looking at a purse and she ended up buying it. She didn't want to buy it, but her explanation was, “The devil just got behind me and pushed. The devil made me do it!”
With many of us, we respond to the push and the tug of the evil one, rather than just saying, “No” to our flesh, “No” to our desires, “No” to any shortcut, and “No” to Satan.
Jesus said “No” to Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). It is important that you understand the power of saying, “No.” You don't have to give in; you don't need to have sin in your life. You can overcome this temptation, but you must learn to say, “No!”
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3 Comments
It is very hard not to give in to temptation in our world of today. Where we can have anything we want at our disposal. I have to say no to all of that. I do ask for help from Jesus to resist any temptation. Fortunately I am old enough that I don't need much now. There are other temptations that I need to be in constant communication with Jesus to help through any situation throughout each day ðŸ™. And staying in the Word
Morning PRAISE and Prayers are so important in seeking God's WILL. It will enable us to say NO to temptation
Praise The. Lord. Thank YOU JESUS !
Temptation is hard when you try to justify the action. Asking God to give strength along with grace and mercy is often what has to be done in my case.
I continue to look for Him to direct my path, no sometimes needs a push from the lord.