Passage of the Day - 1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10 ¹² If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. ¹³ The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. [read chapter]

Temptation. We love it and we hate it. The word itself refers to the things that appeal to us. What are some of the small things in your day that tempt you? Shelly, who works at CedarCreek has this little hut of M&M’s. When I go by her office, I am always tempted to scoop a little pile into my hands. Of course things like Starbucks, the smell of a grill, a local race, the latest techno-gadget…all those things tempt me. What about you? Don’t we love those little things that tempt us?

Then there is the dark side of temptation. If the word means that it is the act of being attracted to something – that makes lust, anger, doubt, fear, jealousy, insecurity all look a little different. For example, if someone is having a rough day and there is a confrontation with a fellow employee – each of us are tempted to respond in different ways. In other words, each of us are attracted to a different response to the rough day altercation. Some of us are prone to anger. Others are insecure. A few walk around jealously looking around and using that as leverage or vengeance. What emotions are you tempted by the most? What emotional responses to difficult situations are you “most attracted” to do?

God invites us into a new life of love: Loving Him above all and loving others more than self. In this new life we are called to put our temptations under control and submission to those two truths. Even more, God promises to help provide an escape when the temptation comes on strong. This means in difficult situations there will be a loving way out. Now, don’t get me wrong – that doesn’t’ always mean “nice guy” way out or timid way out…but, loving way out – where you love Him and Others more than your temptations.

So, today – let’s not think of ourselves as particularly strong and put together. Instead, invite God to reveal to you where you are tempted the most…maybe even where you don’t see it yet. And then ask Him to help you see the LOVEly way out.