Lead Us Not Into Temptation

"Every temptation is great or small according as the man is." Jeremy Taylor

Temptations surround us every day. They are the big ones - such as stealing, lying, cheating, and gossiping. Some of these seems easy to steer clear of, but others not so much.

Think about it....how many times are you tempted to eat a little too much, keep the extra change that the store gave you, flirting with someone who is married (and you're married too). These are the "smaller" temptations that haunt us every day that aren't so easy to stay away from.

When you think about it, temptations seem to come around when we aren't satisfied. If we were "full to the brim" with happiness then non of the above would affect us. We wouldn't need more food, extra money, or attention from someone who we shouldn't be getting it from.

Now, I'm not saying that your life is unhappy or anything...we all fall short of happiness when we aren't connected to the source of joy! Get connected! Talk to God, pray to him and let him fill your life with joy. Then...temptations, big or small, won't make their way in.

Will Do

1. Pray for God's guidance and help when temptations arise
2. Remember and understand that you always have a choice when temptations occur
3. Trust God to deliver you
4. Remember that God will always show the way out of a temptations - or a way to avoid it in the first place
5. Remember everyone struggles
6. Be honest with yourself about what you're tempted with
7. Have empathy with other who struggle

To Do

1. Write a prayer to God asking for help with specific temptations
2. Read and meditate on Romans 7:21-23
3. Say a simple "no thank you" to smaller temptations
4. When you resist temptations, reward yourself with a wiser choice
5. Ask a friend to help you with something you struggle with
6. Develop a habit to help you control your temptations - a quick walk, count to 20, say a prayer

Bible Verses to Remember

1. Proverbs 14:8
2. James 1:2-3
3. 1 Peter 5:8-9
4. Romans 7:1-23
5. 1 Corinthians 10:13

"My temptations have been my masters in divinity."

           Martin Luther