A Powerful Example
There was a Pastor who recognized he needed to lose some weight. Over the years he had let himself go and developed habits that were contributing to his problem. There was a bakery that baked the best apple fritters that you have ever tasted, and those became his kryptonite. Every day on the way to the church he would stop by the bakery and have a fritter or two.
Changing things up
The Pastor realized that if he wanted to improve his health and obtain the weight loss goal, he had set for himself, he was going to have to make some changes. So, he decided to give up his morning ritual of going by the bakery. As a matter of fact, he adjusted his route to avoid passing the bakery because he recognized his own weakness for the scrumptious delight.
One day the Pastor arrived at church and began talking with one of his closest deacons. He relayed to him the following story.
Temptation
Today on my way to church I had a “hankering flung on me” for those mouthwatering apple fritters, and before I knew it, I found myself driving down the road to the bakery, instead of my normal path. As I approached the bakery I prayed “Lord, I know I don’t need an Apple Fritter, but I sure do want one. I’m going to leave it in your hands. If you want me to have one of those heavenly delights, then let there be a parking spot open for me. If I am not supposed to have one, then Lord let the there be no open spots, that’ll be my sign that I should drive on by”.
His faithful friend and deacon asked, well what happened then, was there a spot open for ya, Pastor? The Pastor replied, God is faithful and God is good. On the third trip around the block, there it was, right in front of the door!
The moral of the story
What a funny example of a biblical promise. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we are told that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability, but He will provide us a way of escape that we may be able to endure it. But as we witnessed above, the choice to accept that way of escape rests completely on us.
Experience
I wish I could tell you that I have no experience with having a “hankering flung on me”! But I can’t, firstly because I am human, and secondly because I am a man. As Paul said our flesh is weak and our enemy will seek out and exploit any weakness he can uncover. I have failed to resist temptation many times in my life and have done things that not only hurt me but also those around me.
Prime Example
I cannot talk about this subject without sharing this example from early in my days as a new believer. I was 26 and a youth group leader in Sweetwater, Texas. It was a hot summer day, and me and two of the young men in my youth group were traveling down the road in downtown Sweetwater. The young men were sharing with me their struggles and temptations as they were trying to figure out how to live their life as new Christians. I was sharing with them the verse from Corinthians 10 regarding tempation and the way of escape.
The Setup
In the same instant that I was sharing with these young men about the way of escape, I pulled up to a red light and noticed both of them craning their neck to the left, looking out my driver side window. When I looked over, I understood what had captured their attention.
In the parking lot, there was a group of recycling bins and working diligently in front of those bins, unloading her car, was a young woman who looked like she was either on her way to or just returning from the lake or a pool. She was wearing a bikini top and shorts so short I am not sure they qualified as shorts.
The Way of Escape
Just as all of this began to transpire I had shared with the young men that God provides a way of escape so that we will be able to bare it. I can’t be sure they heard it, as their attention was elsewhere, but then it happened. A truck pulled up next to us in the left hand lane, blocking the view and removing the object of temptation.
As the truck pulled up I said see guys, like that. That truck is a living embodiment of a way of escape! I am not sure they were thrilled about it, but I bet to this day they can recall that lesson of God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises. Whether we like it or not.
Bringing it Home
It is important to remember that temptation is not sin. It is the precursor to sin. If we CHOOSE to follow through, to not take the way of escape. That is when it becomes sin. James chapter one teaches us that temptation is born from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. Unrestrained or unchecked temptation gives birth to sin, and sin if allowed to grow, gives birth to death.
There is power in understanding our weak spots, the chinks in our armor. Your adversary certainly knows them and will use them to tempt you. In knowing your weak spots there is the added knowing of the way of escape! Any good battle plan contains both the plan of attack and the plan for retreat if needed. Tis better to survive to fight another day, than to die on the battlefield of regret!
Question of the day
Men, can you recall a time in your life, where you clearly saw the hand of God? A way of escape that you either chose to take or ignore? Lastly, what are your weak spots? What are those areas of your life that continue to tempt and draw you? What are the ways of escape that you can put in place to change the outcome, should the temptation arise?
Thanks for playing along, remember all of life is ministry!
Rick
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