Deal Wisely with Temptation
1 CORINTHIANS 10:12-13 

Common sense dictates that a pilot trainee flying for the first time in a squall needs to be quite cautious. But a wise seasoned pilot knows that he must be just as watchful in his hundredth storm as in the first. Despite thousands of flight hours and years of experience, he can still be brought down by bad weather unless he is proactive.

Temptation is a lot like an unexpected storm that sweeps in and damages those who are caught unaware. Like a good pilot, a believer must be alert to the approach of temptation and prepared to ride it out. In this life, none of us reach a level of maturity at which sinful enticements lose all their power.

Understanding our own weaknesses is an important part of being watchful and prepared. In which areas are you most vulnerable? What we commonly think of as “huge sins”—like adultery and murder—are not what land most people in hot water. It’s usually a multitude of “little sins” that lead to big trouble. Temptation is an invitation to carry any God-given desire beyond its God-given limits. Take one step over the line, and soon there is inducement to take another. And then another. Unless you correct the course quickly, you could find yourself estranged from the Father and overwhelmed by guilt and shame.

The issue of temptation cannot be ignored. Know where you are vulnerable, so you can prepare a defense. Learn when and how you’re most likely to be lured, and take extra precautions in those situations. And always look for the escape route that God promised to those who are tempted (1 Cor. 10:13)

The Body of Divinity in Miniature – I will love them freely.

Hosea 14:4

This sentence is a body of divinity in miniature. Whoever grasps its meaning is a theologian, and whoever is able to dive into its fullness is a learned professor! It is a summary of the glorious message of salvation that was delivered to us in Christ Jesus our Redeemer.

The sense hinges upon the word “freely.” This is the glorious, the suitable, the divine way by which love streams from heaven to earth, a spontaneous love flowing out to those who neither deserved it, purchased it, nor sought after it. It is, indeed, the only way in which God can love such as we are.

The text is a death-blow to all sorts of fitness: “I will love them freely.”

Now, if there were any fitness necessary in us, then He would not love us freely; at least, this would be a hindrance and a drawback to the freeness of it. But it stands: “I will love them freely.”

We complain, “Lord, my heart is so hard.”

“I will love them freely.”

“But I do not feel my need of Christ as I ought to.”

“I will not love you because you feel your need; I will love you freely.”

“But I do not feel that softening of spirit that I should desire.”

Remember, the softening of spirit is not a condition, for there are no conditions; the covenant of grace has no conditionality whatever. So we without any fitness may rest upon the promise of God that was made to us in Christ Jesus when He said, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned.”1 It is blessed to know that the grace of God is free to us at all times, without preparation, without fitness, without money, and without price!

“I will love them freely.” These words invite apostates to return: Indeed, the text was specially written for such-“I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely.”

Apostate, surely the generosity of the promise will immediately break your heart, and you will return and seek your injured Father’s face.

1John 3:18

The family reading plan for October 22, 2011

2 Kings 3 | 2 Thessalonians 3