Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
by Joyce Meyer
Temptation, or giving in to temptation, has been a serious problem since the beginning of time
and is still a very real part of our lives today. Like it or not, we all have to deal with it. Most
people may not really understand temptation and its purpose. In Luke 17:1, Jesus said,
...Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come....
Why do we have to deal with temptation?
It strengthens our faith, our spiritual muscles. If we didn't have to stand against temptation, we'd
never know our own spiritual strength. Facing temptations will either bring out the best or worst
in us. Sometimes God allows us to be tested because He's preparing us for promotion.
without letting it change your attitude or commitment. Jesus never treated people differently
when He was being tempted, and when we have Christian maturity, we can follow His example.
Jesus understands exactly what we're facing in temptation. For we do not have a High Priest
Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and
infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every
respect as we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15).
Sometimes Jesus allows us to face temptations so He can bring attention to areas of weakness in
our lives and help us overcome them. He knows how important it is for us to know the truth
about ourselves. Even though it may be painful to acknowledge that we have tendencies to be
jealous, greedy or prideful, if we'll deal with it and overcome it, that truth will set us free. The
only way you can have all that Jesus wants you to have is to be what He wants you to be. And
that maturity comes in stages.
So be determined to resist the enemy and take authority over him. Trust and obey God, and
rejoice in the promises found in Psalm 94:12-13: Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the
man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give
him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is
dug for the wicked. Through Christ you can remain steady in the storms of temptation.
"Tempted" to Do Good
One thing that draws us into temptation is thinking too highly of ourselves and trusting ourselves
too much. This is an attitude planted by the enemy, but 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, Therefore let
anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm],
take heed lest he fall [into sin]. We need to realize that Satan tempts us to do evil, but God
tempts us to do good. God says, ...I have set before you life and death...therefore choose
life...(Deuteronomy 30:19).
The Bible warns us about thinking we can hang out with ungodly people and not be affected.
Pride causes people to ignore warnings; they think they won't be the ones to get caught. But this
prideful attitude has damaged many lives. We must choose to separate ourselves from people
who could poison our temple.
God is trying to save our lives. He wants to strengthen us so that no matter what happens in these
last days, we'll be preserved and protected under His covering.
When we serve God, we receive the reward of holiness. That doesn't mean we'll do everything
right. I still have my share of "mess-ups," but I am so happy and peaceful. I love my husband,
and although he still does some of the things that used to drive me crazy, they don't bother me at
all anymore. I'm enjoying the benefits of a holy life, and I'm peaceful and fulfilled.
This article is taken from Joyce's audio teaching, Enjoying a Life of Freedom.