Temptation...I'd Rather Not

Matthew 26:41

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."


I Corinthians 10:12-13

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.


I Timothy 6:8-10

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.


Temptation. It is something that everyone of us have fallen for. Because of our sin nature, we have the desire to follow after the desires of the flesh. Even Jesus knew how weak our sinful flesh is. Like he said in Matthew 26, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." We need help if we are to overcome temptation. Paul, in I Corinthians, knew the battle each of us has with temptation. Notice, it is not God who tempts us, but He does keep us from being tempted "beyond what [we] can bear". The beautiful part is that there is a way out, always. Before I end today's topic, please note that I Timothy 6:8-10 is clear about not being content. The desire of riches leads people into "temptation, traps, and foolish and harmful desires that PLUNGE men into RUIN and DESTRUCTION." Contentment in Jesus Christ is a wonderful thing.