WILLPOWER OR WILTPOWER?

Little Debbie looked at her mom with sadness in her eyes. “Please, Mom, may I have one more cookie?”

“Sweetheart,” replied her mom, “you’ve already had ‘one more’ three times.”

“I know, Mom,” she whined, “but they are so good. Just one more? Please?”

“All right,” agreed her mom, “one more and that’s all!”

“Thanks, Mom!” exclaimed Little Debbie. “You sure don’t have much willpower. You gave in without even thinking.”

Giving in to temptation is easy if we do not call on the Lord when we face the slippery slopes of life. The easy way out, however, is rarely the best way out. When we give in without counting the cost involved in taking the “easy way” we are usually giving up something of value.

Paul reminds us that we all face the same type of temptations. In fact, he says, “they – your temptations – are no different from what others experience.” Why is it, then, that some Christians have better “survival rates” than others?

It’s because of two word: focus and depend. If we focus and depend on ourselves for the strength to overcome the “evil one,” we will surely lose the battle. But if we look to and call upon the Lord, the battle becomes His and victory is assured. Stay focused and depend on Him!

Prayer:  Lord, when we are tempted, may we focus our minds on Your Word, open our hearts to Your Spirit, and depend completely on Your strength for our survival. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:    The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13