trbccoffeebreak

“And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13a (HCSB)

Never had a waiter tell me his life story before – have you? It all started so easily with a question. His arm was decorated with tattoos and my friend was curious and asked about them. Without hesitation, he took us a journey over the span of the last 10 years of his life. Addiction had characterized his life and when the consequences became devastating, he finally got help. One of those tattoos reminded him of the power of addiction to lure him back down a wrong path.

Leaving the restaurant, I couldn’t help but think about the radical change in this one’s life – a beautiful story of redemption. Temptation had kept him tied to a noose for a long time. Chained to a habit which took him further and further away from God’s best. His faith rescued him and a group of believers doing life with him now are his support group – his tribe – fellow believers simply keeping each other accountable. Now he stood freed, delivered and rescued from its hold.

Matthew 26:41 cautions us, “Watch and pray so you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” We would all love to believe we are above being lured into tempting situations. We would like to think we’re strong enough to resist the enemy’s game. Truth is we face all kinds of temptations every day. Opportunities where we are faced with a “little” compromise which eventually could lead to some major consequences.

How do we win over evil? Ephesians 6:10-18 equips us with the strategy to resist and defeat the enemy’s lies. The battle is real. Jesus taught his disciples to daily ask for God’s help. Whatever is seeking to devour us, lure us away, lead us in a wrong direction must be surrendered daily at His feet. We can only win this battle with God’s strength, guidance and help. But that doesn’t excuse us from the equation. We must actively put on the full armor of God, so we will be positioned to resist and stand firm.

Before temptation seeks to overtake us, we would be wise to proactively pray for God’s deliverance. Our flesh may weaken but if we stay close to God, He will always give us a way of escape and we will realize victory.

“Father, You have postured us to defeat the enemy with Your strength and power. May we never lower our guard and forget to pray for your help.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life