Just say no!

Have you ever been in a situation whereby some temptation was so enticing that you just could not resist? According to the Bible, you have not. No temptation will ever be presented to you that is unique, and God always provides a means of escape. Problems arise when we fail to take advantage of it. Temptation is satan’s oldest and most effective tool, effectively landing us in our current dilemma. If Eve would have steadfastly refused satan’s lie that she would be like God if she would simply disobey God and partake of the forbidden fruit, we would be living in paradise today.

The Bible does not say that it is easy, but God does promise that no temptation is beyond what we are able to bear. I often hear people complain about how God set things up. Why did God make it so hard to live by the rules? Why are the rules so tough to follow? God is not the problem, nor are the rules. Satan is the problem. He deceives us into believing that breaking the rules is better than following them.
This is what temptation is all about. When we give in to temptation and break the rules, we suffer the consequences just as satan did.

God’s rules help us, not harm us. STOP… THINK….What happens when we break rules? Lie? Steal? Commit adultery? Murder? Get drunk? Gossip?
etc. Bad things right? God’s rules via the Bible tell us not to do these things. The Bible is like a owner’s manual. God created us. He knows what is best for us. He tells us through the Bible what to avoid and how to get the maximum out of our lives. When we do not follow the instructions in God’s owner’s manual, we have problems. Some are minor problems, some are serious, and some can actually lead to our deaths.
Think about some of the consequences of adultery, murder, sexual immorality, lying, stealing etc. God tells us not to do it, not because He is mean and does not want us to have a good time, but because He loves us and wants to protect us from the ravages of sin.

Yet we do these things because we yield to temptation. The Bible plainly states that Satan is behind all temptation. He is under judgment, is doomed to Hell and wants to take us with him. The Bible states that God does not tempt us, nor does He allow satan to tempt us beyond our ability to withstand the temptation. He does, however, give us the choice. The next time you are tempted, think about who it is coming from, and then find the escape route that God has provided for you and FLEE from it and satan. The Bible compares satan to a roaring lion walking around looking for someone to devour. Like I said, flee from him and his temptation. Just say no.

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1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you
except such as 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, that you may be able to
bear it.


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