Overcoming Temptation

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape - 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

In a society where people are propelled onward by the concept of more, more, and still more, excess rules. The temptation to eat one more cookie, buy one more CD; watch one more movie is strong.  The temptation to flirt anonymously over the internet, to take an extra half-hour for lunch, to sleep in when you promised to help someone.  Giving in to temptation often wins out over more prudent (and many times, healthier) choices.

Temptations are all around us.  Sometimes they're easy to ignore, but usually they attract like magnets.  Paul made a bold statement, quoted above, about temptation in his first letter to the Corinthian church.  He said that God always gives a way out of temptation.  Notice that he didn't say God would erase all temptation from our life.  The first step in overcoming temptation is to recognize it.  Do you feel compelled to do something you're not sure is a good idea?  That's the tug of temptation.  Temptation often comes disguised as a shortcut.  It promises an easier path to a desired result, but conveniently forgets to mention that the path is figuratively littered with broken glass, potholes, and land mines. 

The second step is to listen to your conscience.  When you feel that you are being tempted, the hesitation you sense is a warning.  It's an opportunity to uncover the lie that informs temptation.  It's an opportunity to evade being taken in.  The third step is to weigh the consequences of your decision.  Being tempted to eat a second cookie might not have terrible repercussions if you usually don't overeat, but cheating on your taxes or spouse undoubtedly would.  As much as possible, avoid situations where you know you could be tempted.  Sometimes, just following your intuition and staying away is God's promised way out.

Ask God for strength to face the temptation and take the way of escape .  Ask God for wisdom.  God promised not that temptation would not come but when it did He would give you what you needed to  handle it.  God will give you the strength you need to handle temptation.