No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. – 1 Cor. 10:13
Just like satan tempted Eve focus on the one tree she couldn’t have, he tempts us to focus on the one thing we think we must have. In addition, he adds urgency and blurs our vision to the truth. He also makes what isn’t God’s best appear matchless. Because his enticements are not obvious, we must seek discernment and wisdom from the Lord.
I recall a story that illustrates a response to temptation. At a market, a little boy standing by the candy aisle looked nervous. He kept walking around it, staring at it with an intense desire. The clerk watched the boy for a long time until he confronted him. “Looks like you’re trying to take some candy.” The boy replied, “You’re wrong, sir. I’m trying not to.”
We must attempt to run away from the temptation by rushing to the Lord. If we try to justify our desire for what we know is wrong, we want it more and move closer to biting the bait. It is Jesus we must focus on. God is faithful and enables us to bear the enticement by leading us to a better way, His, from glory to glory!