Swallowing the Bait

"Hook, line, and sinker! "

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].”~ 1 Cor. 10:13

In the world in which we live, no one is exempt from temptation, not even God’s dear Son was. If you’re a member of humanity, it’s a common thing to be tempted. During these testing times, it can make or break a person. The devil’s purpose is to accomplish the latter of the two. If he can get one to swallow the bait that their situation is unlike any others, then he has hooked them. He wants us to think our temptation is special, rather than common.

Temptation may be different in sort, but it can be the same in severity. There is a difference between a headache and a toothache, but the level of pain can be the same in both cases. To imagine your case to be the worse of the two is ludicrous. If, when tempted, you feel yours is unlike your fellow believers, then you will justify your yielding and take liberties that you mistakenly believe God will understand and condone.

We are told God makes a way to escape fiery temptations, if we but choose it. If one does not avail himself or herself of a fire escape that has been provided for all, then he or she can expect the awful consequence. Being tempted is not sin; but to yield to it most certainly is.

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

“A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later.”~ C.S. Lewis

by an Old Disciple

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