Resisting temptation

Hello, everyone. Normally, I never eat between meals, but last night I felt tired and down. I knew there were salted nuts in the kitchen, and wanted some comfort food. I got up to fetch them, feeling weak, because I knew perfectly well that I wasn’t actually hungry, and didn’t need any more calories.

However, just before reaching the kitchen I was suddenly struck by the insight encapsulated in today’s prayer. The end of the story is that I didn’t eat any nuts, of course. Later, I also realised that this “promise” approach can be used with any and every kind of temptation, not just food…

Resisting temptation
*  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 (1 Corinthians 10:13; NIV).
*  So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16; NIV).
*  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14; NIV).
*  You are the God who sees me (Genesis 6:13; NIV).

Father,
Thank you for showing me
That when I’m feeling tempted
I can turn to you,
Ask you for the strength to resist,
And promise you I won’t give in.

That’s a promise I won’t dare to break,
Because it’s made to you,
All-powerful God,
The One who hears –
And sees!

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