Temptation

This looks really good right about now. Nothing like a piece of chocolate cake to finish off a great meal. But what about cake in the middle of the afternoon? Or morning, when you first wake up? Doesn't quite seem the same. Yet a lot of us stumble in to spiritual temptation using the same methodology - it tastes so good, one more piece wouldn't hurt.

Giving in to spiritual temptation is far more damaging than the unneeded calories or sugar you get from an extra piece of cake. Spiritual temptation often springs from something that is good, but too much of it is harmful. How will you be tempted today? How will you battle against it? Will you use your own strength, or rely on the one who was in all ways tempted, just as we are, yet without sin?

Jesus stands ready to bear your burden and wants to do it. That's the part of the relationship with Christ that overlook as being too troublesome for an almighty God. Yet He wants to possess that part of you more than any other part that you perceive as good or worthy. God redeems that sinful desire and turns it into something good. Your own willpower isn't good enough or strong enough. Turn the fork over to Him, along with every other part of you.

Charles Fortney

elder