Door County Apple by Dave Bolenbaugh (2013) via Flickr. All rights reserved. Door County Apple by Dave Bolenbaugh (2013) via Flickr. All rights reserved.

"The devil said to him," I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me." Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'" - Luke 4: 6-8

The devil tempts us daily. We rarely say that it is the devil tempting us, but it is. When that thought creeps into your head and you begin to judge someone because of their appearance, that's temptation. When you could easily lie instead of going through the trouble of being honest, that's temptation. When others are gossiping about a person you really don't like and you are smiling as they are slaughtering her reputation, that's temptation. When a cashier accidentally gives you too much money back, that's temptation. Then there are the big temptations in life like cheating on your spouse by watching pornography, lying to yourself about what the best thing for your family really is, trying to convince yourself that your career is more important than being with your family, justifying not having a relationship with God, ignoring the needs of your loved ones and the list goes on.

We are tempted daily. How do we react? Are we able to say, "Satan get behind me," or do we just give in to the temptation and try to justify our actions? We will constantly be tested and temptation is not easy to fight alone. When we are tempted we need to call on God for help. We need to pray and ask God for guidance. The devil is always lurking, waiting for a time to pounce. God is stronger; you just have to want to side with God in his glory and goodness instead of the momentary satisfaction of evil.

Copyright 2015 Lori Hadorn-Disselkamp
Photo: "Door County Apple" by Dave Bolenbaugh (2013) via Flickr. All rights reserved.