Theme: Beyond: Next Level Living, Week Two - How To Win Over Temptation
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 3:12-14
Think: Have you ever been driving on the highway and missed your exit? Some highways are so unforgiving! Sometimes you have to drive several miles before another exit presents itself for a u-turn. I usually am carrying my children in the back seat when I’m driving, and they are used to these road trip debacles. In fact, a trip with mom is rarely complete without u-turns and near misses. It’s not uncommon to hear from the back seat, “Mom, are we lost again?” I’m fairly certain that my children sucked down a good share of my directional senses and brain vibrancy in utero, so I think of my brain malfunctions as being mostly their fault. So, they can just deal with the minor inconveniences of my directional confusion. It’s the least they can do, considering I have to drive around in life with a brain that doesn’t work right since the birth of my children.
I am pretty proficient at “course corrections”. I figure the sooner I admit that I’m lost, the sooner I can get back on the right road. I have a destination in mind, and I don’t want to miss it because of a wrong turn. I have a vision of where I want to go in life. I have an idea of where I want to be, who I want to be and what it’s going to take to get there. Course corrections are just part of the journey. The key is to not lose site of the destination.
The scripture reading today says, “God is faithful… When you are tempted, He will also provide a way out…” I think of this as my next exit. I may have missed my first exit because of distraction, or confusion, or just being hell-bent on thinking I’m right. But God is faithful and provides another exit. If I’m tempted to do something outside of God’s best plan for me, and I flirt with that temptation instead of fleeing from it, the bible says that it is never too late to turn around. In fact, God’s got another exit up ahead leading out of that temptation.
But what if we ignore the warning signs God gives? What if we don’t take God’s escape route? What if our spiritual navigation device is unplugged or uncharged? What if we keep on going down the wrong road thinking, “It will be different for me- nothing bad will happen”? We may end up with real-world consequences like damaged relationships and dreams, and we will most definitely end up with a broken heart- and the heart is the most precious thing we have.
Philippians 3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This means that we can forgo the temporary temptation for the long term, eternal reward in Christ Jesus. Jesus is not only our final destination, but He is also our friend who satisfies us along the way. He helps us to guard our hearts so that we will be full of love and joy and purpose beyond our wildest imaginations- and certainly beyond any cheap pit-stop that may catch our momentary fancy.
Do: Write down a few things that you are thankful for. Then right down a few distractions or temptations that keep you from being satisfied with those things.
Pray: God, the road you have me on is good, and it is enough for me today. I will seek you on this road and will enjoy your presence. Help me to notice temptation early on, and to take the first opportunity to flee from it.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.