A bag of leftover Halloween candy sat in our pantry tempting me to slip in my hand and take one piece as I passed the doorway.
I knew the candy wasn’t good for me.
I can fool myself, though. “One small piece does no harm at all,” I convinced myself. After all, they are only bite-size. Pop it in the mouth, and it’s gone.
But, then I lost control. Before I knew it, I’d consumed a bag of pretzel M&Ms, a Twix bar, and a Reese’s peanut butter cup.
When I purchased the candy to give out to the trick or treaters visiting our apartment, I bought all the candy I liked. Silly me, I should have bought the sweets I didn’t like then I would have less likely been seduced.
Halloween candy is a small example of enticement. It only leads to the unwise consumption of too much sugar.
There are far unhealthier desires we face that steer us towards far more serious results and downfalls.
So, how do we pray when our appetite is whet?
First we must recognize:
Temptation is not the problem.
We are not at fault because we are enticed. After all, Jesus was perfect and he faced temptation.
It’s following through on the impulse that is the problem.
However, because Jesus has been tempted in every way, just as we are, he is able to empathize with our weaknesses and he is able to help those who are being tempted.
So, we can ask him for help.
It is a battle.
It is an internal struggle between the part of us that wants to do what is wrong, that wants to give in to the temptation (scripture calls this the flesh) and the part of us that wants to do what is right (the spirit). See Galatians 5:17
Jesus warned his disciples in the Garden before his arrest: Stay awake and pray – the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Although, here I think the flesh is just the physical tiredness of their bodies.
The idea is still the same. We need to be prepared for the battle, and do something about it–pray.
Perhaps if Peter had prayed, he would have thought twice before he cut off the ear of the guard.
Then Jesus added: Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Now, there’s a temptation I hadn’t realized Jesus faced in that moment.
But, Jesus had prayed. He had sweated, struggled, persevered, and kept returning to prayer – not my will but yours be done.
That’s our lesson – we are to work hard in prayer to overcome enticement.
There is a way out. God will show you says 1 Corinthians 10:13.
So, we need to ask God to make it clear.
Whatever temptations we face, we can come into God’s throne room, straight up to the throne of God and into the presence of Jesus and get the help we need.
Photo by Slashio Photography on Unsplash
It IS a battle between flesh and spirit, Rachel and our only weapon is Jesus our deliverer! Love this reminder and yes, I too buy the candy I like. But I just gave the rest of it away to lose the temptation!
Removing the temptation – half the battle I think. Thank goodness we have to Jesus to overcome the battle with us.
This is such an important truth for Christians to learn. Temptations abound in this world, and our flesh is at times so strong. The more we can remember our Father’s presence with us and His power for us, the stronger we can be in our fight. Thank you for sharing with us at Grace & Truth!
His presence with us, His power in us is something we can certainly reply on in the fight. Thanks, Jennifer.
Prayer is one of the most, if not the most, precious gifts; it is always such an honor to talk to my Heavenly Father
So true, Jennifer.
This.is.just.plain.truth.
Glad you enjoyed it, Susan.
I love prayer, this was a great post that motivates me to be in prayer even more!
I’m so glad, Carmen, and I know He delights in having conversation with you.
“Come into God’s throne room, straight up to the throne of God and into the presence of Jesus and get the help you need.” Amen, Rachel. Earlier this year I went thru the Beth Moore study “Why Godly people do ungodly things…” and God continues to remind me of that none of us are immune to temptation. Always enjoy your thoughts and teaching. Visiting today from #GraceandTruth.
Thanks, Karlene. Sometimes, I think temptation comes most when we have great things to do for God.
I am quite addicted to chocolate, not only for its flavor but for its comfort. I often reach for it when I feel stressed. But I am learning to go to God first for comfort, and simply enjoy chocolate for its own sake.
That’s a beautiful thing to learn, Sarah.
Far too often I take on the battle against temptation by myself. Your words have encouraged me to make prayer my default when I’m facing a struggle — like leftover Halloween candy. Ugh.
Michele, that’s a great default to have. 🙂
Rachel,
I had to chuckle because, I too, bought Halloween candy that I liked…big mistake. I told myself I was not going to open the bags before Halloween eve because I knew what would happen if I even cracked the bag open. Temptation is like that…we think we can have just a little bit and still resist, when in reality we need to pray for the strength to stay away completely. Oh how the enemy wants to entice us to just take a little taste, a little peek, a little drink…great reminder to go on my knees when temptation comes knocking!
Blessings,
Bev
Phew, I’m glad I’m not the only one with the Halloween candy. In the end, I had to throw the leftovers away. But, seriously I’m so glad we can call on God, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit to help us when we can’t resist.
All of us have a tendency to over do, over indulge and try to do it ourselves like children, like Peter, we can get temperamental. I’ve had to learn so much about His rest, and let Him lead me. I tried but will power just didn’t cut it. I was putting way too much pressure on myself, especially around the holidays, I can’t be everything to everyone or their expectation anyway.
Praying you will be resting and letting Him lead you as we go into the holidays.