Willpower?

It has been said, ““Using willpower to overcome worldly seduction is like telling a man who has gone without water for three days to control himself and quit being thirsty...”

Just quit thinking about it.   Yeah right.

Just don’t feel that way anymore.  Uh huh.

Just stay away from that person.  Easier said than done.

Worse part about seduction?  Nobody is immune.  All of us, if we’re not careful, can get caught in the “trap” that today’s verse talks about.  It’s not just sexual either... seduction comes in many forms.  It is everywhere...  and sometimes we don’t see it coming.  People, ideas, or feelings... all slowly draw us into a life that God never intended for us to live.  The enemy prowls like a lion waiting to find out what appeals to us and slyly provides an avenue for those things to play out.

Late night inappropriate websites... gossip-filled conversations... overeating... overthinking... traps and snares...

How can we avoid it?

Let’s look at today’s verse;

“While I was at the window of my house,    
   looking through the curtain,
I saw some naive young men,      
   and one in particular who lacked common sense.
He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,    
   strolling down the path by her house.
It was at twilight, in the evening,
   as deep darkness fell.
The woman approached him,
   seductively dressed and sly of heart.

So she seduced him with her pretty speech
  and enticed him with her flattery.
He followed her at once,      
    like an ox going to the slaughter.
He was like a stag caught in a trap,    
    awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart.  
He was like a bird flying into a snare,
    little knowing it would cost him his life.

So listen to me, my sons,
      and pay attention to my words.
Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
      Don’t wander down her wayward path.
For she has been the ruin of many;
      many men have been her victims.
 Her house is the road to the grave.
      Her bedroom is the den of death.”
                                       Proverbs 7:6-10 and 21-27

How to avoid temptation?

1)  “so listen to me...”  -  Listen to God... He says that you will never face a temptation that you won’t have the strength to avoid

“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.”  1 Cor. 10:13

2) “pay attention to my words” - Don’t just read scripture... live it out!  There is a blessing in it for you!

“Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”  Luke 11:28

3) “Don’t let your hearts stray toward her.” - Don’t think about just the moment of pleasure.  What you are about to do has long term consequences... your health, your marriage, and your reputation are at stake.  Quick decisions can lead to long-lasting trouble.

“The wise are cautious and avoid danger;
    fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.”  Proverbs 14:16

4) “Don’t wander down her wayward path.” - Seduction starts a road that often ends in embarrassment, ruin, shame, destruction, and guilt.  It looks pretty at the start but often ends up in total darkness

“But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”  Matthew 7:14

You CAN avoid the swamp of seduction... I’ll be praying for you as we partner together to be more like Christ and reach the potential for which we were created.

What Tempts You?

“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.”   1 Cor. 10:12-13

“The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.”   -  Thomas Merton

     Congratulations!  You’ve done what many know they need but not everybody does... you’ve made time for God today.  Each time you feel the nudge to check out the devotional page here on Facebook... I’m sure you think of many other things you could be doing.  We all know it’s good for us, but sometimes we forget or get sidetracked.  It’s a commitment.  A sacrifice of time and energy.... and you’re worth it.  But all is not easy.  When we dive in to growing in Christ, the enemy ups his attempts to make us quit.  

     That’s where you will face perhaps the biggest foe that has ever challenged you: temptation.  There will be many many things in the coming months and years that will do their best to throw you off your commitment to study God’s word and grow.  In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul writes about those very things.  He says that the temptations we face, while common to everyone, are not unbeatable.  In fact, he says that God will “not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.”  I love that!  No matter what temptation the enemy throws our way to stop.. God will give us “a way out so that [we] can endure”  The devil puts up stop signs, detours, and red lights... and Jesus reminds us that we have His GPS.  He simply re-routes us around the obstacles and keeps us on the road to our God-potential.  

      So the question is... what tempts you to quit?  Does it seem like there’s no hope?  Are you struggling to think you’re worthy enough for God to use you?  Have you tried this type of thing before but think there’s no way you’ll stay with it?  I have some encouragement for you.  We’ve all felt that way from time to time.  Today’s verse tells us that when we have these feelings, God will give us the wisdom, the strength, and the nudge to keep going and escape the temptation.  He wants us to persevere because He loves us so very much.  I’ll be praying that when you feel tempted to stop...or believe what others say about you... or doubt that you can do it... or hear the limiting lies of the devil... that you would remember that you aren’t alone.  God is with you and your Potential Church family is on the journey alongside you.  Let’s go after this together! 

More Than You Can Stand?

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 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.” 1 Cor. 10:12-13

“The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.” - Thomas Merton

In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul says that the temptations we face, while common to everyone, are not unbeatable. In fact, he says that God will “not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.” I love that! No matter what temptation the enemy throws our way to stop.. God will give us “a way out so that [we] can endure” The devil puts up stop signs, detours, and red lights... and Jesus reminds us that we have His GPS. He simply re-routes us around the obstacles and keeps us on the road to our God-potential.

So the question is... what tempts you to quit? Does it seem like there’s no hope? Are you struggling to think you’re not worthy enough for God to use you? I have some encouragement for you. We’ve all felt that way from time to time. Today’s verse tells us that when we have these feelings, God will give us the wisdom, the strength, and the nudge to keep going and escape the temptation. He wants us to persevere because He loves us so very much. I’ll be praying that when you feel tempted to stop...or believe what others say about you... or doubt that you can do it... or hear the limiting lies of the devil... that you would remember that you aren’t alone. God is with you and your Potential Church family is on the journey alongside you. Let’s go after this together!