Tempted, but Not Taken

As I was praying a few days ago God put in my spirit the story of David and Goliath. When I picked up my bible and read it I was amazed by the courage David exemplified by fighting Goliath. I spent a few days mediating on it and after a conversing with Phillip about David’s courage I realized that it takes courage to resist temptation. The story of David and Goliath is found in 1 Samuel 17. One of the things that stood out to me was Goliath’s appearance and taunts caused the Israelite soldiers to retreat in fear.  Goliath represents temptation, a temptation to fear. Instead of having courage and fighting Goliath the Israelite army gave in to the temptation. In our lives temptation comes in variety of forms, and it appeals to our deepest desires and preys on our weaknesses. In being male, one of the most common forms of temptation for men is sexual temptation. Sexual temptation is so enticing that sometimes we feel it is irresistible, so why even try to resist. However, no matter what the temptation is courage is the antidote. Temptation comes to tell us that we are not strong enough to live a godly life. While courage says I know God has already put the strength in me to overcome every thing that may cause me to stray away from God. In other words having courage reflects the belief in God’s word and temptation tries to doubt God’s word.  God says to us in Joshua 1:9, “have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!”

Again looking at David’s battle with Goliath, the words David spoke reflected his level of courage. He said “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Sam 17:45-46).  Even though Goliath’s size tempted David to fear, David used his words tell temptation it had no power over him.  Like David, we have to look temptation in the face and tell it the word of God. We must say it with authority! If you have ever been in the presence of a real authentic thug one thing you will notice is they do not take anybody’s crap. When drama goes down they are right there popin off at the mouth letting everyone know they are in control. If the confrontation persists they’ll go “pop the trunk” and it is over then.  I am not advocating for living a thug lifestyle, but we should have a similar approach when temptation comes. Instead of giving in, we need to speak courageously to temptation, commanding it to leave. If it continues to plague us we need to pop open our bibles and speak the word of the Lord. Once the Word is spoken it is done, temptation has no grip on us. We may be tempted, but we do not have to be taken!

So, when temptation tries to over take us remember “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He was without sin” (Heb. 4:15). The same powerful that allowed Jesus to overcome temptation is the same power working in us. So be COURAGEOUS!!!

Written by: Brandon Render

Related articles

• Facing a Giant (dailybibleplan.com)
• Fighting Our Goliaths Part 4 (gaylordsblog.com)

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