Struggling with Temptation

Temptation is part of life.  All of us succumb to it on a regular basis, and sin against God.  Most of us have at least one sin to which we are particularly inclined and struggle with mightily.  Sometimes we refer to this as a "stronghold" in our life.  It's very easy to get down and discouraged when we fall to temptation over and over, especially when it's in the same area of our life.  There are times we feel like giving up, and there are times we even wonder if God has given up on us.  (And we wouldn't blame Him!)  But the Bible has good news for us in this regard.  Consider the following five truths from 1 Corinthians 10:13...

1)  Your temptation is not unique to you.  "No temptation has overtaken you except that is common to man..."  You are not alone.  Be assured others are struggling with the same thing.

2)  God has not abandoned you to your temptation.  "God is faithful..."  He has not given up on you, and He never will. cf. 2 Tim 2:13

3)  No temptation is so strong that you have to give in.  "God... will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able..."  The power of the Holy Spirit within us is greater than the power of any temptation we face.

4)  God always provides an "out" from temptation.  "but with the temptation will also make the way of escape..."  The escape hatch is always there.  We just need the discernment to see it, and the discipline to take it.

5)  God may not deliver you from temptation, but He will bring you through it.  "that you may be able to bear it."  You probably won't wake up one day and find all your temptation for that longtime stronghold is forever gone.  But you can wake up each day, and submit your will to the will of God.  And He will be with you every step of the way.