Taking Away Temptation, Part 1

I remember as a child thinking my parents could see everything I ever did. If they had their backs turned or even were in another room, they always seemed to know when I was up to no good. Now, as a parent myself, I know how they did it!

It’s really quite simple, you just know your own child. For example, I know that if I leave the dog’s water bowl out then it won’t take Kyle long to crawl over and start playing in it. You can’t really blame him, he loves water and here it is presented in a shiny bowl, right at his level – pure temptation!

But what’s my response as a loving parent? Well, initially it’s a firm, “No”, but in reality the temptation is just too great sometimes. As a result, when the dog leaves to go to work with Johann in the morning, I tip the water out and put the bowl up out of Kyle’s reach. Would I really put temptation in his way just to tell him off? Of course not! In fact, if I leave the bowl out we can waste a lot of precious play time by stopping him doing what he’s not supposed to. This is no fun for either of us!

Maybe this is what Jesus was talking about when he taught us to pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation’. He knows us so well that He knows our weaknesses. He knows how we want to react to situations in our lives. He knows what tempts us. He also knows that we need to pray, ‘but deliver us from the evil one’. Temptation is often empowered by the enemy’s holds in our lives, maybe through previous sin.

So, let’s identify and admit our weaknesses to God. Let’s ask Him to remove the strong temptations of our lives so we won’t be distracted from the enjoyment and pleasure of doing His will.

Prayer: Father God, You know everything about me. You know when I consider doing wrong. I ask that You will help me identify and admit these weaknesses, so You can remove them from the path I walk. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.