Most Understanding Lord, many temptations, which start out as minor and are often neglected, run their roots down deep into my heart and become embedded sin. The Devil is not dumb and has had thousands of years to perfect his deceits. He will always give sin an allure that makes it more palatable to my human desires. You were not snared by his contrivances, so neither should I if I am rooted and grounded in You. At times of temptation, I must seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and the power He supplies to help me resist. To build up my spiritual prowess, I must absorb as much of Your Word as I can. With You watching over me … the Spirit ministering to me … and being provided with the guidance I need, I know that I will be able to overcome any temptation that comes my way. To better resist, I must examine myself and become aware of the flaws which allow the Devil admittance to my life.
Times of testing allow me to measure my faith and ability to overcome evil with good. I can never show You true obedience if I never have an opportunity to disobey. Many times You allow circumstances to come into my life to see whether or not I will obey You. Since I know that testing will come, I must always be on guard and ready for it. My faith is only strong if it can hold up under pressure. I must never lose sight of the fact that Satan is fallen, he’s real and he is constantly trying to work a wedge between You and me. As a result, his temptations are real and try to draw me away from living Your way into his way. When temptations are particularly strong, it is likely he is trying to block Your purpose in my life or Your using me as an instrument of Your will. I must never allow myself to feel condemned because I am tempted because temptation itself is not sin.
I must not lose sight of the fact that temptations come when I am most vulnerable … when I’m under mental or physical stress, I’m lonely, I’m tired, I’m weighing big decisions, I’m facing uncertainty, etc. My greatest areas of vulnerability center around physical needs and desires … possessions and power … pride and lust. I must remind myself that, as a human, You were tempted in every way (as I am) yet was without sin. Because You have given me Your nature, provided me with the aid and comfort of the Holy Spirit and committed to stand with me in whatever I face, I too should be able to stand strong when I am tempted. You know first-hand what I go through living upon this earth and I must never forget that You are willing and able to help me in combatting whatever temptations come my way. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.