Temptations

   We all experience temptations in various ways.  They can be painful and difficult to resist.  Satan knows his job well.  He knows the temptations that are the most effective against us.  I am certain that he knows the lures I have the most difficulty resisting.  He knows you and your weaknesses as well.

   We would like to never be enticed by Satan.  Somehow we believe that if we aren’t tempted it means we’ve beaten him and he has given up.  We think to ourselves that we have overcome the devil and are safe from his efforts.  This is a very dangerous thought and one that the evil one wants us to believe.

   Thinking that we have overcome Satan is prideful; it is assuming a strength we do not have. Once we’ve convinced ourselves that Satan no longer has power over us with his temptations we let our guard down.  The arrogance and pride in this concept demonstrate the lie within it.  If we are no longer tempted he has won; we are his.

   In our temptations, there should be a sense of sorrow, and even shame.  Even when we resist the temptations we sometimes think that the fact we were tempted at all makes us evil.  In reality, we feel the painful effects of temptation because Satan has not won; he is still trying.

   The pain and discomfort of temptations is a good thing because it makes us realize Satan has not won.  Jesus is in our heart giving us the strength to resist him while at the same time blessing us with the discomfort and even pain of the temptations.  In this way He is assuring us that we are His; He will always strengthen us with His love and mercy.  We were never promised an easy path, only His strength to walk the one we’ve been given.

Jesus, I am sorely tempted by the evil one.

He pulls on me trying to take me from you.

His temptations cause hurt, You provide healing.

You assure me that I still belong to You.

Amen