A man had recently announced to those in his office that he was going on a serious diet to lose weight, but showed up at work the next day with a dozen donuts. He explained that he had a great desire for donuts that morning and that he always drove right by the donut shop, so he said to the Lord, “Lord if you want me to stop, then let there be a parking space at the very front of the shop. If not, I won’t stop.” Well, on the fifth time around , I found a parking space right in front of the door!

No one stands alone in regards to temptation. In what realm of our lives is temtation not a responsibility? It exists in our closest relationships, in our strengths, and our weaknesses, in times of poverty, and in times of planty. We are tempted to do evil, and tempted not to do the good we should. Temptation may vary in degree, and in the manner of approach, but it will not cease with age, or withdraw because of location. It is as much a part of life as the air we breathe. But this does not mean that we must look ‘for a place to park’ when it comes to sin.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)

Our brother James spoke of submitting to God, and resisting the devil (James 4:7). THese two words could sum up what winning over temptation is about. Submitting and resisting. Both actions are important, the order is right, and the result is empathetic: “he (Satan) will flee from you”.