I was having a conversation with my oldest son the other day and we were discussing how we need to approach any and all choices we make. I shared with him that we must always ask ourselves if ‘this’ brings glory to God, if it will grow us spiritually, and if it will keep us from going down a path that we already struggle with. Some things are so blatantly wrong. Some things are questionable to an immature believer, and then there are some things that are perfectly fine for most but a temptation to stay away from for another.

I told him that I too have to follow the same advice I give him and although it isn’t easy at times, it always works. As I am presented with things which tempt me, I run the same questions through my head that I want my children to learn to ask themselves. And swift obedience must always follow honest answers. I’m never glad or satisfied when I say yes to what I know doesn’t honor the Lord. I am always glad instead when I say yes to the Lord and no to what will move me off the narrow path.

 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived by beloved brethren.  James 1:13-16

God has never nor will ever tempt us; it is completely contrary to His nature. His purpose is always to move us closer to Himself and godliness, never in the opposite direction. He does allow us to be tempted however but it is so that we can prove the power of the Spirit that lives within. With any temptation we are given the great opportunity to take a firm stand and say no. Of course many of us give into temptations at times and suffer the natural consequences of our disobedience. It isn’t that we can’t say no to it anymore as was once true before salvation, it’s just that we give our flesh permission to override the Spirit.

For Today: Each and every one of us must be very mindful of the things which tempt us and flee from whatever has the potential to draw us away. Our hearts apart from God are so desperately wicked and will easily justify and rationalize why sin is OK or not so bad. I believe the answer truly lies in the word desire. If our desires are for what pleases our flesh, then we will truly struggle with yielding to temptations over and over again. If our desires are to live a life pleasing to the God that we know and love, then we will still face temptations and may even give into them occasionally, but we will most assuredly possess the power and ability to say: “NO! I have something far better than anything anybody can offer to my eyes, ears, or body. His name is Jesus and He is the desire of my heart.”

As I look at my children and want so much to see them choose right, I realize that I don’t have the power to make them do that. But as moms and dads, we can do something that will help them a great deal. Let’s ask them what their greatest temptations are and find out how we can pray for them. Let’s also memorize James 1:13-16 together with them. These verses clearly point to truths our flesh would prefer to ignore. We not only need to share the Word and what Jesus can do with those outside our walls, we must remember to remind those who live inside our walls just how much Jesus can do for them as well.