NO TEMPTATION HAS OVERTAKEN YOU.

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None of us can avoid temptation forever because temptation is inevitable. No matter how much we may try to eliminate temptation in our lives, everyone faces temptations with no exceptions. Some people feel guilty when they are tempted, but we should always remember that being tempted in itself is not a sin.

No matter how close to God we walk, no matter how righteous and obedient we are, and no matter how good we try to be, we will still be tempted. Even Jesus was tempted to the point where He can personally relate to our struggles with temptation. Why is temptation inevitable? Because Satan is our enemy and he is persistently trying to pry us away from God, and also because we still have a sinful nature that makes us vulnerable to temptation. In addition, we live in a culture that feeds lustful desires.

Inevitability means that it is not a matter of if we will face temptation, but when and where we will face it. Temptation is usually the strongest when we are at our weakest physically, emotionally, and mentally. This fact is why we need more than self-control to defeat temptation. Practicing self-control by avoiding and limiting exposure to tempting things can be effective, but we also need the Holy Spirit to empower us and help us resist temptation. In order to effectively fight temptation, we also need to identify what tempts us the most. Where we are vulnerable and most likely to take the bait is exactly where Satan will attack.

Will God not allow more than you can bear? Of course, He would allow more than we can bear. It is in that place when you can’t bear anymore that He is made strong. Many people have justified this false statement by quoting 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says:

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And 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 so that you can endure.”

The context of this verse is this: Apostle Paul was speaking to the church of Corinth who worshipped idols, were engaged in sexual immorality and more. He was calling them to self-discipline in the face of temptation. Apostle Paul is not saying God is authoring all sorts of hardships in your life. Many times our hardships can be a result of our choices, or God allowing them so that His glory can shine through. However, when we feel like we are overwhelmed, God wants us to humble ourselves and ask for His intervention. It is in those moments where it is too much for us to bear that God’s power can work in our weakness. It is God who gets the glory, God who gives us the power to overcome, and God who gives us strength.
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘“My
grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast
about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I
take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and
troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”’
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:8-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬
Pray to God to help you in your weak areas and memorize Bible verses about your weaknesses so that you will be prepared when temptation strikes. Even though temptation is inevitable, we are able to face it with courage and have victory over it through Jesus.

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