Yummy!

The plate filled with goodies was placed at my desk. It was left over from a birthday celebration and had yummy cupcakes and cream filled cookies. The temptation was almost too risky to sit there for long as people meandered by and picked up the treats. Just as I was about to succumb to the temptation in front of me, I made the decision to remove them and place them in a more appropriate place for two reasons--the kitchen is where most people would go looking for treats and second, they wouldn't be within my reach or sight.

The temptation would not be as tempting.

We must do the same thing with any type of enticement, whether it is food or sex or shopping or gossip or anger or you name it. We are told to flee from immorality, the love of money, idolatry and all evil desires of youth. That means don't hang around those things or put yourself in the place where it can get a grip on you.

God promises in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that 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.

When it says that God won’t allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, it doesn’t mean that there won’t be temptations, but that we may have to take action against them. Just as the plate of goodies had to be moved, sometimes we have to remove ourselves from situations where we may be lured by the enemy to make the wrong decision. There are ways out, but we have to be willing to take action and do our part.

Will you make the right decision to remove yourself from temptations?

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