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Temptation


I came across this verse early this morning in a very timely manner. Despite the kids being away this weekend, I was woken up early from a deep sleep and promptly slapped in the face with a good old-fashioned dose of conviction. Sometimes "burdens" can present themselves as life-long struggles: some temptation or thought pattern that keeps coming back to haunt you. Sometimes you come really close to giving in. 

Then a still, small voice reaches into your heart. Not this way. I have better plans for you. It doesn't matter what everyone else is doing, this is not your path. 

Okay... okay. *sigh*

I can collect and post all of these quotes about being a strong woman. I might be able to give off the impression of great inner strength, but then some temptation comes along to remind me that my source of strength isn't me. I cannot carry this burden on my own. The good news? I don't have to. I can lay that weakness at the foot of the cross along with my pride. 

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 ESV)

Two questions that always seem to plague me when faced with a temptation:

• Will this invalidate your ministry?
• Is your personal pleasure more important than this ministry?

Ouch. If the answer to both questions is "Yes," then what the hell am I doing?

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 ESV)

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