“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Cor 10:12-13 (NIV)
Staying clean while living in a dirty world is made possible through the rock solid foundation of God’s faithfulness. Anchor your life to the Rock! He will help you stand up under the pressure of temptation and enable you to come through temptation victoriously. Eliminate pride! Take pride for a ride! Obtain an accurate estimation of yourself and recognize your vulnerability and your feet of clay. Acknowledge your dependency upon the Lord to give you the victory in the face of temptation.
You will be courted by temptation on this broken and fallen planet. Temptation itself is not sin. If you choose to yield to temptation, then you commit sin. Remember, temptation is also an opportunity to do the right thing. Temptation is an opportunity to honor God and to choose the path that is consistent with your new identity in Christ.
God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear with Him. When you are tempted, God will provide a way for you to stand up under the weight of the temptation. As you turn to the Lord and rely upon His strength, He will navigate you through the temptation to bring you to the place of triumph.
How will you respond to temptation? Will you crumble and give in to the temptation or will you turn to the Rock of your salvation and to the Source of your strength? Fully rely upon God and walk in victory!
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell