In recent months there has been a social media video idea going around in which parents set up a hidden camera to film their kids. They put a bowl of sweets in front of their kids before walking off, telling them they cannot eat the sweets until they return. Seeing the kids battle with the conflict between obeying their parents or eating the sweets is very amusing to watch. The temptation is so real and evident! Some may say it's an unfair test, but it is a helpful illustration of the battle we face every day. The temptation of sin, just like the bowl of sweets in front of the child, is constantly there in front of us. We live in a world full of temptation and sinful ways and amongst a culture that is far from God.
Romans 7:18 says, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” What Paul is acknowledging is that although we have been saved through faith in Jesus and our sin has been dealt with, we still continue to sin. Just as those kids know their parents have told them not to eat the sweets but the desire is still there, we know that Jesus has dealt with our sin and called us to a new life but the desire to sin is still there.
Each of us will be tempted by different things. For some it will be money, for others it will be sex, drugs, image, possessions, alcohol, etc. We each face our own temptations and the devil knows exactly which temptations to throw our way. He knows our favourite ‘sweets’. So, when temptations come - despite our greatest desire to live a holy and righteous life - we can end up falling for temptation and sinning.
All temptations work on the same basis. They work by getting you to believe the lie that God is mean and is withholding a good gift from you. Just as the parents seem mean in putting the sweets in front of the kids and then saying they can’t have them, temptations are things in front of us that seem good and that we want but know we can’t or shouldn’t have. In moments of temptation, it is so easy to doubt God’s goodness to us. But instead, we need to hold on to the trust that God is good and that he gives us everything we need. His way for our life doesn’t include withholding things to be mean. His plan for our life is perfect and for our best. So, as we pray this line of the Lord’s Prayer, we are asking God to keep us from being deceived by temptation’s false promises and to help us overcome every temptation by believing God’s promises of true life in Christ.
We know that when we do fall for the lure of a temptation, although initially it can bring great joy and reward, that feeling is only temporary and fleeting and soon we are left wanting more or the next thing. That is never true with God. He is the one who truly satisfies. We then overcome temptation by believing God’s promises are always far more satisfying and rewarding than the false promises of sin. God has a perfect plan and will for our lives. As we trust in that more and lean on His goodness more the lure of sin will fade in comparison.
Temptation is real and we face it all the time. To resist we need to get closer to God and know His word. But He has also put us into a family, and we have brothers and sisters in Christ who can help us with resisting temptation. Do you have close Christian brothers or sisters who you share you struggles and challenges with? If not, then I encourage you to find some! Having others who can hold you accountable and pray for and with you is a huge step to overcoming temptation and sin.
Praise God that even when we fall there is forgiveness in the cross and that He has put His Spirit within us to give us the strength to resist sin.
Prayer for today
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your loving goodness that you show to us each and every day of our lives. May we never doubt your goodness and be led astray by the false promises of sin.
Father, we thank you that through Jesus you have dealt with all our wrongdoing and for the gift of your Spirit who is at work within us.
We pray today that you will help us to resist the temptations that come our way and instead to fix our eyes upon you.
We pray all this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Song for today
To resist the temptations of sin we need more of Christ and less of this world, that’s what this song reminds us. You can listen and sing along here.
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
Where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
So, teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
When I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Photo by Laura Briedis on Unsplash
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