When Temptation Comes
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For ‘he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.’ – 1 Peter 3:8-10.
It must have been horrifying for Lindsey Harris. She had no way of knowing the intentions of her stepmother, Clara Harris. It must have been a tremendous shock when Clara told Lindsey she could kill her husband and get away with it. Lindsey testified, “She said she could kill my father for what he had done and get away with it. She was calm, and I didn’t think anything of it. I knew she wouldn’t do anything like that.” But she did!
How many people have encountered the opportunity to do right or to do wrong? We would call it temptation. When those ugly situations come along whether it is a cheating spouse or the opportunity to illegally pocket some money what do we do? During times of temptation there seems to be a something drawing us to do wrong. It is not God. It may be the enemy or just our flesh. You could call it a voice but it is unlike an audible voice. However, during those times of temptations there is another voice that is speaking at the same time. That other voice is the voice of reason, the voice of our conscience and the voice of God.
Peter shares some reasons why we should listen to the restraining voice during times of temptation. Before we give in and succumb remember the rewards of obedience. Obedience opens the door to God’s blessings in our lives. Disobedience closes the door. Our lives, as we choose to obey become blessings in the lives of those around us. So, when we resist the voice of temptation we open up the door for God to bless our lives and at the same time become a blessing to those around us.
But the greatest reason of all for our choosing to obey instead of succumbing to temptation is because of God’s great mercy. During those times of temptation let us turn our eyes upon Jesus. As Peter puts it, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18-19).”
So obey, be blessed and become a blessing to others remembering how great a salvation you have been given.
(Become a blessing to others by resisting temptation.)