Temptation leaves a door open for Satan to work through us in a non-glorified way. We pray that God will use us to glorify Him, which is why resisting temptation is a must if we want to receive all God has for us in this life. Praying that we won’t be tempted is impossible and a waste of time. Jesus was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights, and was able to overcome every challenge set before him. Because Jesus resisted temptation, according to Luke 4:13, Satan left Jesus. “When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.” This scripture proves that Satan gets frustrated if we don’t give into temptation, and he will be waiting for a weak moment to attack us.
Luke 4:13 proves reality for me. We study the bible, walk in faith, walk in love, and we do our Christian duties, but if we have a weak moment…Satan is waiting. Which is why it is so crucial for us to bring our “A” game every day of our lives, and I know that can be a challenge as well.
We then wonder why God allows temptation and hardship come into our lives, rather than delivering us from them. James 1:13 reminds us that God never tempts us with evil, nor can he be tempted with evil, but evil comes into our lives through our weaknesses.
Praying that God will deliver us from temptation is foolish. Paul never prayed that God would deliver him from temptation. In Luke 22:40, Paul prayed that he would know God better, and have strength and a good temper, rather than wanting the problems to go away. Pray that when temptation comes our way that we recognize it, and pray that we resist temptations.
Satan uses trials to push us to do things that strengthen us. It’s in the areas that we are weak. Pray for strength. Paul doesn’t pray for problems to go away. You can’t change the problem, but you can change you. I pray that God will change me, and use whatever it takes to do so. This also doesn’t mean that God doesn’t want the situation to change, but you can’t change the situation, you can only change yourself.
According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, God clearly reminds us that “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out. “He never lets more into our lives than we can handle, and he will be there to help us hand it. This means that we need to learn that problems we are dealing with right now, God has a purpose and he knows that we CAN handle the situation.
Resisting temptation allows us to grow. Growing is painful, but praise God that we are growing. James 1:2-12 says, “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a change to grow. So let it grow, for when you endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
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