Nougat 25

Yesterday, we got a sense of what temptation entails. In today’s Holy Nougat, we continue to reflect on this business of temptation.

“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.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So here we note, as extreme as our situation gets, we are not alone in being tempted. This also suggests that we need not feel ashamed of being tempted. Temptation is Not Sin. It is but an invitation. In the moment we’re facing the enticement, we are still ok. Whether we are alone or not at that moment, all is still good. What happens next depends on us.

Before we get to that point however, let’s look at what we face. While everyone gets tempted, it may feel that we’re the only person tempted in a particular way. That may well be the case, as we are less likely to be tempted by that which we wouldn’t naturally like. James 1:14 indicates that it is our evil desires that seek to ensnare us; not God. And if the desires are evil; then we are likelier to yield unless there’s an intervention. Which brings us to the ‘what happens next…’

Is it possible then that by yielding to God, we already have established a point of escape? For there IS a way out. It may require split second processing, but that is all we need. In that split second which truly matters. Our challenge is to recognize and respond in a timely manner and according to God’s will. We have the assurance that WHEN we turn to God, there we find the emergency exit.

The story is told of a minister who had an undesirable but not entirely unexpected guest. The guest had one task, to close the ministry and he only One Question. In responding, the pastor began to give the correct and rather incriminating answer when he got a check in his spirit. He sensed God telling him how to tell the truth in a reasonable manner. He submitted to God’s Spirit. That moment, when the pastor got the check in his spirit, is available to each of us. It is the ‘Way Out’. Of course, that requires that our relationship is deeply rooted in, and impacted by God’s Spirit.

For God’s Spirit is the caveat, and often we overlook the Spirit of God in order that we can yield to our own desires. Can we; rather – will we yield to God’s Spirit? Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ