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From time to time, we go through periods where these ‘thoughts’ come to mind. These ideas might be about practices that we normally believe are wrong for us. We call this being tempted.

Temptation- a testing; enticement to do wrong- comes to everyone. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

When we read our Bibles we find examples of men being lured into situations where they had to choose the path they would take.

●Eve tempted Adam; he fell for the ruse that they would be like God. They received knowledge of evil, as well as good by disobeying God. (Genesis 3:6)

●Potipher’s wife had designs on Joseph. She begged him to become physically intimate with her and betray his master’s trust by. Joseph said “No.” But she tricked him and then made up a story to tell her husband. Result of this episode was Joseph didn’t fall for the woman’s temptation. Although he landed back in prison, God stood by him. (Genesis 39:1-19)

● Delilah, drawn into the Philistine rulers plot by money, lured Samson to tell her the secret of his strength. Three times, he told her something that wasn’t true, and made her look foolish. She wore him down by her nagging. Samson spent the remainder of his life in prison because he gave into the temptation to boast. (Judges 16:6-20)

●Jezebel tempted her own husband with the ownership of Nahboth’s vineyard. Ahab offered to purchase the vineyard. Nahboth couldn’t sell it; it was against God’s law to sell ancestral land. (2 Kings 21:1-10)

● Job’s wife chose not to understand his love for God. She didn’t know why Job still hung ‘on to . . . integrity.’ She then invited him to ‘curse God and die.’ Job honored God before her. (Job 2:9)

●The adulteress, who Solomon wrote about, tried to seduce the young men (and women). She enticed her prey with smooth talk and, with cunning, laid a trap to ensnare the lad who has no direction in life. (Proverbs 7:5-27)

●Herodias’ daughter lured Herod into killing John the Baptist. This young girl had charmed the king as she danced for him and his guests. Herod fell under her spell. He promised her anything-“up to half my kingdom” For the pleasure she had given the group. At her mother’s prodding, she asked for John’s head. Now, Herod liked John the Baptist, except for what the prophet had said about the king’s personal life. But, he had promised her in front of all these other people. (Mark 6:22-29)

What do we see in these stories? Do we see the presence of evil veiled as friends-Delilah, -, as family- Eve, Job’s wife, Herodias’ daughter; as rulers-Jezebel? In our world, we see temptation come to each of us because we are human. What can we do to overcome being enticed away from our Christian beliefs and roots? How can we encourage others to overcome temptation? How can we stop the erosion of our young people’s lives and encourage them to make wise decisions for themselves?

We have the tools to keep from being carried away by allurements by staying close to God-reading His Word, praying for wisdom, direction, and guidance. We might need to refine our leisure-time habits to have the time to do these practices.

We can help others by speaking kindness and comfort to those dealing with difficulties in life. Spend time with them; send them ‘thinking of you’ cards. Let them know we value them. Just a phone call can let a person know they are loved.

With young people and children, we need to do the same things but also find out what they want to do with their lives. If they aren’t sure, we should tell them we’ll pray for them. We also might encourage them to explore different occupations to see which ones they might be suited for and be able to make a living from. We need to covenant with God to invest time in our young people in our families and our churches in order to strengthen them so they can choose to overcome temptation and live for the Lord.

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Washed by the Water of the Word