This week I’m going to be giving my thoughts on ‘temptation’ and how the enemy can subtly tempt us during our daily lives, which can sometimes cause us to slowly drift from God.

The enemy started tempting mankind from the outset with Adam and Eve, and hasn’t stopped since. It’s amazing how three words can make us doubt someone, ourselve for instance are you sure you locked the door? after which if your like me you’ll be doubting that you did lock the door when in fact you have.

In today’s society we can easily stray from what we know to be true, and through our family, friends including our digital friends we can slowly change our beliefs because we start to question what we’ve been taught / understand. There will be some beliefs in our lives which will need to change because we’ve either been misinformed or misunderstood the Bible or someone. Sometimes temptation can slowly creep into my thoughts by seeing a piece of information, offer etc. across the multiple platforms which I use and slowly I notice my opinion about someone or a situation starts to change. At which point I tend to take a step back and question myself what do I believe and why? It’s okay to change your opinions in someone or subject, but to change a ‘conviction’ will result in your character changing.

In Screwtape Letters, there comes a point when the senior demon instructs the the junior demon to distract his subject. ‘When he thinks about reading his Bible, make him think to read it after his lunch; only then he goes out having never picked his Bible up.’ (paraphrased) When I first read this it made me think back on all those times when I’ve had good intentions to study my Bible, but thought I’ll do it after…

In Luke 22:40 Jesus instructs us to “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial” [NRSV] some translations say ‘temptation’. From experience I know this to be true, in that when I being tempted to fall back on an old habit I know if I pray the temptation will pass. Sometimes though when the temptation is strong I find it hard to pray and seek God’s strength. In some cases praying out loud the Lord’s Prayer helps me, as in the prayer we pray “lead us not into temptation”.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:13 says “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” [NRSV] I find this verse comforting because Paul is telling us that the Lord will give me the tools and strength to endure the temptation which I’m going through.

When Satan was tempting Jesus in the desert, Jesus responded by quoting text from the Old Testament. In a number of cases when we we’re being tempted either by the enemy or our friends, by knowing Scripture it will give us a good foundation to resist temptation.

This coming week if your being tempted remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 that ‘he will provide a way out so that you can endure it’.

All Bible verse quotes and links were taken from http://www.biblegateway,com