I have often thought that as a Christian, I could resist temptation. Over the years, I have come to realize that I can't resist even a slice of cake! We often think that it is by some great human effort that we are able to resist a single temptation. And then we foolishly strut around like a proud rooster telling everyone how strong we are to resist said temptation.
Solomon, in his wisdom, extols the value of wisdom in the heart and knowledge in the soul (Proverbs 2:10) which delivers us from the temptation of evil men described above. Wisdom and knowledge comes from God (Proverbs 2:5-6), not from years with your nose buried in books! But Solomon didn't have Internet access and mass media attacking his morals on a daily basis. How can we ever resist the temptations of today?
Jesus was no stranger to temptation - he endured forty days of temptation after His baptism. He included it as His last request in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:13). And acknowledge the weakness of the flesh in his disciples (Matthew 26:41). Jesus recognizes that we are physically unable to resist temptation but spiritually we can overcome.
Paul sums it up so well in 1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Paul provides much needed encouragement for people like me that think no one has ever had to endure my temptations and there is no way out. There is a way out - but how?
God knows and is willing to show us. But to know, we must seek Him and he will give us the wisdom and knowledge to overcome each and every temptation. Before we were born, Jesus prayed to His Father for our protection from temptation (John 17:15). While our prayers may not be answered, I am most confident that God will answer the prayer of His one and only Son!
Stand fast against temptation today - for you have the promise and prayer of your Savior supporting you!
