Life is full of temptations that can only harm us if we work out of God's will. Note that God's will in a situation of temptation is to provide a way of escape. It is left for you to discover the way to your escape in those moments.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13, No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He will never let you be pushed past your limit; He will always be there to help you come through it. 

 

*Do not be carnally Minded.*

Romans 8:6 says that being carnally minded is death, but spiritually minded is life and peace. 

It is ironic that spirituality can lead to life and peace, not the celestial or heavenly. The Bible says spirituality can give life and peace, which every human wants consciously or unconsciously. It therefore suggests that spirituality does not equate to a lack of earthly position but rather having earthly possessions through God. Abraham was a highly spiritual man. He was a man that built altars wherever he found himself and communed with God frequently, yet He was a man of great earthly possessions.

 

Abraham and Lot (his nephew) grew in earthly possessions such that the land wherein they lived could not hold their wealth. Their possessions resulted in arguments and divisions between the households of Abraham and Lot. It was a "break my heart open moment" for Abraham and Lot. What sought of devotion did God find in their hearts? For Abraham, God found in his heart a man who sought righteousness through peace, but for Lot, at that moment, in his heart was a man rooted in carnality through earthly possessions. 

 

Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.

 

The lust of Lot's eyes informed his decision to choose before his uncle, and he thought he would be advantaged. Though the Bible described Lot as righteous (2 Peter 2:7-8 NIV), he was carnally minded, which led to the destruction of his property, family and peace. Lot fell into the temptations of the devil through lust for earthly possessions.

 

On the other hand, the Bible shows in Genesis 14, how Abraham declined to make himself rich after rescuing the King of Sodom, who lost a battle and his goods to three other kings. Genesis 14:22-23, But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich.

 

Lord, help me not to be carnally minded in my endeavours but to seek you first and trust you for life and peace.

 

 

*Be prayerful*

Talking about the experience of Jesus on His way to the cross, Luke 22:40 shows us that when He came to the place, He said to them, Pray that you may not enter into temptation. Being prayerful is another strategy for overcoming temptations. Recall Jesus almost gave up His ultimate mission of redemption because he shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father (Hebrews 5:7 AMPC). He was tempted to abort His mission. Jesus, as spiritual and powerful as He was, knew that He still had to pray to overcome the moment.

 

Luke 22:41-43, And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt and prayed, saying, Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 

 

There is strength for us when we pray earnestly in times of temptation. God replaces our own will with His own will for us. That is the way of escape in times of temptation.

 

Prayer Point:

I welcome the presence of Angels and the comfort of the Holy Spirit in times of temptation such that my will be suppressed before God's will in my moments of temptation.