By Terry Clark
As a young boy, I always looked forward to visiting my grandfather’s farm. One day I climbed high in the hay barn to retrieve several bales of hay. As I was sitting at the top of the stack, I felt a sharp prick in my back. I turned around to see a snake. I didn’t waste any time getting back to the ground. My grandfather checked my back and smiled; he said I likely had been poked by a briar that was sticking out of a hay bale. It was just a coincidence the snake was there too. Nonetheless, I made a mental note from that day forward to always checked my surroundings when climbing around inside the barn.
Do we make mental notes when we face temptations, so that we can be on guard next time? I Corinthians 10:12-13 states, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Whether at school, at work, playing sports, on vacation, or traveling, all Christians will face temptations. Family and friends will be watching our response when tempted to participate in sinful behavior. Choosing to resist temptation spares us from the burdens and stains of sins. And though resisting temptation may lead to some initial prodding and jokes at our expense, our good example may cause others to desire something better (the Father and Son) for themselves.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
How will you respond when faced with temptations? Search your mental notes!