I Can’t Resist

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:12–13; James 4:7–8

“Hey! Who ate the chocolate chips?” said Mom, sounding irritated. A big blue bowl, flour, butter, and brown sugar sat on the kitchen counter. Mom walked to where Julie and her younger brother were doing homework at the table. “Who ate the chocolate chips?” she asked again.

“I didn’t eat them,” said Julie. “Did you, Simon?”

“Well, I . . .” Seeing Mom’s stern look, Simon stared at his paper and mumbled, “I . . . I was so hungry, and they looked so good, I couldn’t help it!”

“Simon, you know you can’t eat baking supply stuff without permission,” Mom said. “And you need to take responsibility for what you do.”

Simon looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you have to stop making excuses for doing things that are wrong,” explained Mom. “Last week you didn’t finish your homework because you were watching TV for too long. You said you couldn’t turn it off because it was so funny. And how about on Sunday when you couldn’t help answering Ryan when he whispered to you in church?”

“See?” said Simon defensively. “I can’t resist.”

Mom sat down beside Simon. “The Bible says we’re never tempted beyond what we can bear. What do you think that means?”

“I don’t know,” Simon muttered.

“It means you really can resist,” said Julie.

“But I can’t,” Simon insisted. “It’s too hard!”

“I use strategy,” said Julie. “I plan my snack on my way home. You could do that too. Plan to get an apple or something as soon as you get here. Then you won’t be so tempted to eat chocolate chips.”

“Good idea,” said Mom. “What strategy could you use to avoid putting off homework and goofing off in church?”

“I guess I could wait until I have all my homework done to turn on the TV,” Simon said. “And if Ryan sits by me in church, I’ll tell him I’m going to listen to the sermon. I might even take notes on it.”

“Good thinking,” said Mom. “Those are good ways to avoid temptation. But the best strategy is to remember that Jesus freed you from sin, so you always have the strength to resist temptation and do what’s right.”

How About You?

Do you use strategy to help you stand up against temptation? Being tempted to do wrong things is a normal part of life. Even Jesus was tempted. His strategy was to remember the truth of God’s Word to make a stand against the devil. Like Jesus, you can resist temptation and not fall into sin. Trust Him for the strength and wisdom you need to do what’s right.

Today’s Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear . . . [but] will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Resist temptation