Temptation and a way of escape.

 

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Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. James 1:13

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 

When Satan holds out a tempting sin with which to trip us, God comes alongside and offers an alternative – a way of escape.

It’s a bit like branding. There are ropes swingin’ all over the place; the calves are getting caught and tripped up every couple minutes. Dozens of them are caught. There seems no way of escape. This one calf sees the roper comin’ his way, and he knows he’s next to get caught! But then he sees a hole in the fence, and out he squirts! He’s free! He found the way of escape. 

The analogy breaks apart after that – I mean, any cowboy worth his salt is gonna run that calf down. But you get the idea.  It doesn’t matter how impossible it seems, God always does provide a way of escape from temptation.

Sometimes it isn’t easy. What about the temptation to tell a ‘white lie’? That can be a pretty strong temptation! It isn’t going to hurt anybody, but it will save me disgrace or embarrassment. The way of escape may actually be choosing to tell the truth, and being humiliated! Sometimes we need those experiences to keep us humble. At any rate, we can choose if we will tell the lie or tell the truth, even in very small matters. We must be truthful, if we are to defend ourselves from Satan. Ephesians 6:14

Temptations come in all forms and sizes. Temptation to steal, cheat, to be unkind, to be hurtful, to overeat, to lust, to gossip. We are bombarded daily with temptations from Satan. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit within us, can we escape. God promises that we CAN escape! Do you truly believe God? Why can I not seem to escape the temptation?

Perhaps because the Holy Spirit is not welcome in my life. If I live a half-hearted Christian life, careless with words, not studying Scripture, and just living for myself – then God cannot help me. If I am humble and desperate for the power of God in my life, I will surely receive it!

Every time we are tempted, we have a choice. We can choose God’s way or our way. The window for choosing is tiny – split seconds, at times. But we all know the power of split seconds in roping or rodeo, right? A split second can win you millions or break your neck.

Especially in the beginning, we react to events or feelings and barely recognize the moment as a temptation. But as we grow and become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice in our conscience, we will start ‘seeing’ that way of escape.

[bctt tweet=”The key is to stay soft to the quiet whisper of God’s voice.” username=”aranchmom”]

The key is to stay soft to the quiet whisper of God’s voice. Don’t harden your heart and go ahead with that sin – no matter how small it seems. In that split-second; choose the right way. Choose righteousness. Give no place to the devil. It is easy to brush off that quiet Voice in the moment of temptation. But, every time you resist temptation – your spiritual muscles grow stronger.

Ask God today to show you the way of escape from every temptation you face!