Temptation's Cutting Edge

The cutting edge of temptation plunges deep regardless of a person’s faith, education, or lifestyle. Some blame God for the reality of temptation they must face as well as their failure to escape its demands. Whatever the source of temptation, submitting to its enticement is a choice. Freedom to choose is a privilege but may result in painful consequences.

Someone recently declared, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to go back to college with the wisdom I possess today? Learning is a joy now that I’m not so distracted by youthful temptations.” Those words reflect maturity that has come from the power to resist temptations’ enticements.

When temptation’s cutting edge is pressing in, remember God did not create it but will, in his mercy, provide an escape. Remember these words from James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has stood the test, he shall receive the crown of life God has for those who love him."

____________                  

There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.

~1 Corinthians 10:13 God’s Word Translation

_____________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week. 

 

Need to Control? Trust God

Individuals who are possessed with an inordinate need to control others do so from a position of weakness and fear. Soon after Bill and Kelly were married, choosing the church they would attend evolved into a major power struggle. Attempting to put the issue to rest, Bill told Kelly if she refused to attend his church, divorce would be her choice.

What Bill failed to understand is that submission can be given only where there is freedom to choose. Each time he imposed an ultimatum on Kelly, it left him feeling insecure and without peace. Defiance and sadness highlighted Kelly’s refusal to yield to Bill’s demands.

Both men and women may possess this need for dominance, but controlling others tends to alienate rather than create trust. Forced submission means imprisonment. An inordinate need to control is also a form of enslavement. Isaiah informs us that the Messiah would come to proclaim freedom for the captives. Jesus came to free you from the bondage of sin. 

_______________________

The book of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him [Jesus], and he opened it to the place where it says:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him.”

~Luke 4:17-19 The Living Bible

God's Jealousy Gives Freedom

Some people rationalize their jealousy by saying God can be jealous, as Exodus 20:5 testifies: "I am a jealous God." Psalm 79:5 questions, "How long, O Lord, will your jealousy burn like fire?” While God is capable of jealousy, he manages it so that only his perfect will is acknowledged.

When God experiences jealousy, he does not feel threatened. God is all-powerful, all-caring and all-loving without flaws. Jealousy in human beings can be sinful to the core, for jealousy refuses to accept the rights of others to think, feel and behave differently.

Conversely, God's love permits us to choose differently from his plan and purpose for us. Our jealousy is in direct conflict with another person's freedom to choose to be different from what our jealousy demands. As God gives us freedom, he expects us to extend that freedom to others. This is possible only as we trust Christ Jesus to give us confidence and faith.

Conscience, Courage and Confidence - Part 2

Choice and change are essential to each person’s sense of freedom. Even in dismal situations where freedom is limited, choice and change still can be activated. Choice by its very nature indicates that options are available, along with the power to set in motion changes that have lifetime benefits.

One of the benefits of making significant choices is the opportunity to consider available options. When God said, “Let us make man in our image,” this attribute for choosing was part of the design. Have you ever wondered why God created mankind with this incredible ability to make choices and then take definitive actions to assure change takes place?

Each time a choice is initiated, change is automatically activated. Choosing to be available to God’s transforming work sets in motion changes that endures for life, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is power to be transformed into his likeness. It is my hope that this will be your choice.  

Act with Confidence and an Active Conscience - Part 1

The conversation between Eve and the serpent in the Garden of Eden indicates Eve knew the difference between right and wrong. Her choice forever changed her lifestyle. Adam also demonstrated a breach of conscience when he felt ashamed to show himself to God. Adam and Eve, however, demonstrated steps to take when our conscience condemns us. 

Adam stepped out from hiding and admitted to God that he was afraid, guilty, and ashamed. A clear purpose of the conscience is to bring into acute awareness the fact of wrong choices. God created Adam with freedom of choice, but with boundaries, so he would realize freedom to choose is a privilege.

Privilege and choice are yoked together, as is the freedom to obey God and serve him. We have freedom to come before God to confess and seek forgiveness when our conscience condemns us. We like Adam should be afraid and embarrassed, but like Adam we can show courage and step out from hiding and confess our sin to God.  

Choose God's Way: Resist Evil - Part 3

It’s been said that life is a harsh teacher, but its lessons endure for a lifetime. Numbers 22 tells us that an angel of God told Balaam he was corrupt and had sinned against God. Revelation 2:14 reveals that Balaam informed Balak, the king of Moab, how to dupe the young men of Israel. The trap consisted of invitations to commit sexual sins and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

This defined a stumbling block with serious consequences. However, God will rescue us when we fall short of his glory provided we honestly repent and turn from unrighteousness. Balaam consistently chose unrighteousness instead of God’s way. God created him with the freedom to choose, as he has done for us.

A lesson to learn from Balaam is that we’re capable of misusing the gifts and talents God entrusts into our care. This is preventable by keeping centered on who we are in Christ Jesus so that when we are tempted, we choose to resist. God takes note of our choice and rewards us with integrity and a clear conscience.  

At a Crossroads? Get Out of the Rut and Reach Higher - Part 3

Submission was never intended to be a nasty word, but it's not uncommon for the word to bring up strong opposition in both men and women. Ephesians 5:21 instructs Christians to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Healthy parenting teaches children to be submissive to rules and authority, for failure to do so could result in long-lasting sorrow for both parent and child.

Submission is required for taking advantage of opportunities that come your way. Opposition to submission can become an obstruction to success. Submission reflects obedience, which is another word that’s hard to swallow and digest. Jeremiah 26:13 implores us to "stop sinning and obey the Lord."

Submission is a good, godly word, but it can be abused. It's important to remember that submission is what you do voluntarily, for being forced to submit isn’t submission at all. Submission to God's laws, his love, and his care for you requires your freedom to choose. Christ Jesus would not have it any other way, but doing so guarantees his blessings.