January 20, 2021
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13
There is no doubt that temptation is part of life. It does not matter how strong we are in our faith, how far along we are in our faith journey, or if we have even begun to have faith, we are constantly faced with temptations. The question is what we do when the next temptation arrives? Or how do we respond to temptation in general?
This may sound absurd, but more often than not, our answer to temptation is to give into it. I’m not saying that we don’t have the power or even the responsibility to overcome temptation, and it’s often not the morally difficult temptations that we give into to most often (though that is possible). Most of the temptation we face are the little things that could help strengthen our faith. We may be tempted to stay up and watch a little more television vs. reading a devotion or Scripture. We may be tempted to not participate in worship because it has moved online, though I hope in-person opportunities will occur again soon. We might be tempted to be angry because something didn’t happen the way we desired. We might be tempted to put our own ambitions ahead of what is best of a community. All of these temptations are part of everyday life, and these are the temptations that we are more likely to give in to, than those of gross moral misconduct.
Those in leadership of others, perhaps, face even greater temptations each and every day, and we pray that they will hold to the truth of God’s guidance as it is written in the psalms: “o send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling” (Psalm 43:3).
Yet, if we do give into temptation what does that mean for our faith? Paul tells the Corinthians that there is no temptation that can overcome you, and that God always provides a way out.
I believe that as we desire for our faith to grow, our spirits to mature, these little temptations pop up more regularly, because God is claiming more of our lives and we become more in tune with our calling to love one another. If we constantly decide, with God’s help, to overcome our temptations and be overwhelmed in and by love, than we might start loving others the way God desires, we might start seeing the kingdom of God alive in us, and we might start helping others overcome the power of darkness.
No wonder we face so many temptations, even little one, because if we were to truly overcome darkness, than we might get closer to the glory of God. The powers of evil do not want to see us come together, working together, overcoming temptation. Instead, they would tempt us to be divided. As with every temptation, we do have the power to overcome. I hope and pray that we would be guided by God’s light and truth, recognize the temptations that seek to separate us from God and from one another, and seek unity, harmony, and love for one another through Christ who overcame all temptation, and is our savior.
Grace & Peace,
Sam