Editor’s Note: Welcome to Day 5 of Guideposts’ 14-Day Fitness Challenge! We’re sharing stories that will inspire you to eat better and get in shape so you can feel your best. Today’s challenge is to find new ways to handle temptation. If you’re just joining us, check out our previous challenges here.
God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up and endure it. -1 Corinthians 10:13
We are faced with temptations on a daily basis. Whether it be a temptation to gossip, to overeat, to lie, or to be lazy, the fleshly part of us is constantly crying out to get its own way, similar to a spoiled toddler. We are faced with a choice of giving in to our flesh or obeying God.
Although being tempted is a reality of life on this earth, this verse tells us that we can be the overcomers God has called us to be even in the midst of temptations and trials. In order to find our way out of a tempting situation, we need to determine what is happening when we find ourselves giving in to temptation, and the first step is being able to recognize Satan’s schemes. Satan works overtime to draw us away from the fruits of the Spirit, some of which are peace, joy, love, gentleness, and self-control. He wants us to live with fear, doubt, stress, and anxiety, with our eyes focused on earthly circumstances rather than on the Lord. When the Holy Spirit isn’t leading us, we are by default following our fleshly nature, which makes us more susceptible to temptation and sin.
The good news is that with the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, we don’t have to be subject to our flesh! We can be overcomers by asking the Holy Spirit to help us see when we are stepping away from God and to then choose to walk with Him instead. When we find that we are drifting toward worry, doubt, fear, and stress, we need to make the choice to steer our hearts and minds back to God’s peace, joy, and love. And we must continuously choose to rein in our emotions and cast our cares upon the Lord.
Lord, when I’m tempted by Satan’s schemes, please help me choose to rein in my emotions and cast my cares upon You. I thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your presence. And I thank you, Lord, for transforming me one day at a time. In Jesus’ name, amen!
*This devotional is an excerpt from Katie Farrell’s book, Devotions for a Healthier You: Feeding Mind, Body and Soul, used with permission.
