Is it really that alluring? After falling prey to this inclination, will I truly be satisfied?
Hey guys! I will be discussing temptation, as in relation to the scriptures and our everyday lives. This is the best time to hear about this topic, because this is the age in which we face so many temptations, especially as we leave our homes to boarding schools and universities. Everyone deals with temptations (1 Corinthians 10:12, 13). No matter who you are, if you walk this earth in flesh, temptations will surely come your way. The bible says that even Jesus, was not immune to the devil’s temptations (Matthew 4:3-11). It’s understandable that the first thing that could come to your head when you think about temptation is sex, and you already think to yourself that it’s not an option (because YOUR body is the temple of the Lord obviously!). However, temptation can come in so many forms and ways. Some of the temptations we face are smoking, speed driving, drug abuse, taking that piece of clothing from your friend’s closet without him/her realising for a party, watching Netflix one more hour instead of focusing on your assignment, etc. So, you see, temptations can be the subtlest things around us, but take note that just because it is inevitable, does not make it right to yield to the temptation. Temptation is not sin; but if we yield to the temptation then we fall into sin. Temptation is taught in the book of James 1: 13-15. It says that temptation does not come from God. Temptation arrives when we are drawn away with our own desires. This simply means that we are not all tempted the same way or at the same time. We all have our different struggles and the devil tries to use that to his advantage. The scripture further says that when we allow this lust to thrive, it results to sin and therefore death. We do not need to be captives to the enticements of the devil
By centring our lives and minds around the Word of God, then we will be better prepared to take on the conflict with allurement. A daily relationship with God in prayer is a first step to avoiding temptations. In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to ask God to lead us away from temptation (Matthew 6:13). Remembering Bible stanzas focused to battle your regions of enticement will be an insurance and protection. 2 Corinthians 10:4 and 5 talk about pulling down things that get a stronghold in our life. Meditate on the word, day and night… (Joshua 1:8)
As Christians we have direct access to God, and we can humbly come before Him with whatever troubles us. However, the Bible does teach that creating accountability with someone else can help us in our struggle against temptation (James 5:16). In other words, it means that we should talk to a mature Christian about our problems (preferably a Pastor or a teen worker). This way, we have a person who can always remind us and advise us when we feel like things may be too hard to handle. When you fall to temptation, go to God and confess it (1 John 1:9). Always remember that God loves you and only wants the best for you. Repeat Psalm 109:26 to yourself when you find yourself sinking in the quicksand of temptation, and know God’s got you always!
