Made Like Us

Made Like Us

Our son recently experienced a new and difficult situation at the university he attends. What started out innocently enough, as many things do, quickly became complicated. More people got involved than should have been, things were said that should not have been, and emotions began riding high. He found himself on the edge of compromising with sin. He called us late one night to say he knew he needed to take drastic steps to stop this process and wanted our advice and blessing on his decision. Obviously, we were more than happy to counsel him through it and affirm his desire to do what was right. In the process of that conversation I warned him that doing what was right was going to be painful. It would also result in stronger temptations to give in and compromise.

Strong temptations are not unique to certain people, specific ages, or crisis situations. You do not have to be 19 and in school to be tempted to compromise with sin. Our enemy is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8) … you, me, people we love, the person next to us on the pew, and the stranger in line at the bank. All of us experiencing the human condition are vulnerable to temptation. But, praise God, we are not helpless and we are not victims. We have an Advocate, a Helper, a Rescuer, and a Savior. He knows exactly how it feels to be slammed with temptation and He leaps to our defense.

Hebrews 2:17 (NIV) tells us, “For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Jesus does not mock or condemn us in our struggles. He understands! He felt it too. He knows how hard it is to resist. He knows what it takes to stand firm or to flee and He empowers us to do it. He coaches us through it at the same time He is praying for us. Talk to Him through the temptation and trust the power He will give you to do what is right. It is enough! He promises that His grace is sufficient, so take it in those moments. Listen to His promptings – walk out of the room, take several deep breaths, turn on praise music, quote Bible verses, sing a hymn, speak the truth in love, get your body busily engaged in a wholesome activity, pick up your Bible and start reading, or call a godly friend.

Temptation is not sin, so you can get through it unharmed. In fact, resisting it and triumphing over it strengthen our spiritual muscles. It is actually beneficial to us. God promises that in all things He works for the good of those who love Him, even in temptation (Romans 8:28). So take heart if you are in the midst of strong temptations, for the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).