The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
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It's January, and we all know what that means. In case you haven't figured out, the bulk of America is now in the weight-loss mode -- a myriad of TV commercials for a myriad of products and programs to help America lose weight. Jenny Craig and Nutrisystems, exercise machines up the wazoo, and an assortment of "take this pill and you can lose 35 pounds like me!" products -- all trying to address the holiday gluttony. My scale tells me I fell into temptation more than I'd like to admit -- does anyone relate to what I'm saying?!?
Maybe for you it's not food. Maybe it's anger mis-management. Maybe it's laziness. Maybe it's pornography. I don't know, but you do. You are well aware of the areas in your life where you are weak, where you cave in like a house of cards in a breeze. Why is it that we cave so easily? Why is it that we throw up our hands and say, "whatever...", while we grab that second donut or third piece of pie?
And then we have the audacity to say, "God says we'll never be tempted more than we can bear -- He lies, because I just can't resist this chocolate eclair!"
We are so self-indulgent that we can tend to blame God for our pitiful attempts at self-control. We say, "I'm going to lose 10 pounds, and I'm not going to eat donuts anymore." And then when we walk into the office break room and see that mouth-watering pink pastry box, all thoughts go straight to the sugar, instead of to our goals and our God. And we simply throw up the white flag and dive into the pink box. And that's God's fault?!? Who are we kidding?
Satan is no dummy. He is crafty beyond measure and malicious beyond comprehension. So, if you desire to be victorious in your fight against sin, you better bring in the Big Gun and ready yourself for a battle. Your God says He's got an escape plan for your temptations. Are you listening and looking for it, or are you only hearing what that jelly donut is saying to you?
There are so many things in this world that can distract us from God and His will for us. What and who we listen to, I think, is an indicator of how serious we are in overcoming our temptation to sin. So, are you serious about defeating the evil one in his devilish game of cat-and-mouse? Are you willing to throw self-indulgence under the bus and give God your total attention?
Some things are relatively easy to escape and walk away from. Others are so challenging, you are worn out on a daily basis in trying to say 'no'. Please don't think you can deal with the devil on your own. It is God who provides our strength in overcoming temptation -- lean on Him with all that you have, being willing to give up those things that, on the surface seem to satisfy, but are really a slippery slope to defeat.
God is faithful to provide you an avenue of escape. I pray that today could be a day of victory for you, as you tune your ears to God's voice and send the devil packin'!
Love,
Joelene
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