We will come across some challenges that our Father sends us: let us always try to learn from each one of them. Explore in the following article the path we can take in the face of temptations.
“He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23
As we walk the path of the Lord, we often find ourselves in difficult situations that are often represented by temptation. It is in those moments when God truly tests not only us as His children, but also those gifts with which He has endowed us..
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Temptation provokes in us feelings of guilt, which discourage us to think that if we were better children of God, we would not have these thoughts. It is important that we try to improve day by day by praying with an open heart, remembering that prayer does not eliminate temptation, but it does bring us closer to God, and He gives us the power to overcome it. Overcoming temptation is a personal decision that must be firm and forceful. Jesus left us the secret to overcome any temptation: His word.
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:12-14
When we find ourselves face to face with temptation we should never ask ourselves what we should do: God has already made this clear in the scriptures and has given us his spirit to guide and strengthen us. It is a mistake not to take temptation seriously: many of those who have succumbed to it thought they were strong enough to resist it.
That is why it is of vital importance to turn away from all those situations that can become temptation, to begin to thank God with a life away from sin.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.". Psalm 91:1-2
Of course temptation will always be there lurking in the darkness, but God's strength will also be there as long as we keep in continual communion with the Lord through the reading of His word and prayer, His light will shine on the shadows and keep us from temptation.