| In today’s podcast episode, I dive into the topic of temptation and share insights from my first book, What God Says About Sx*. It took me seven years to write this book, not because it’s long, but because I wanted to get it right. I wanted to explain, simply and clearly, what God says about sx*, and how these teachings can help protect us from unnecessary pain.
In the episode, I also talk about finding a “way of escape” when you’re tempted. Just like a video game where every level has a hidden exit, God has provided a way out of every temptation we face. He knows what we’re going through—Jesus himself was tempted in every way, just like we are, and yet He didn’t sin. That’s why He can guide us through our challenges. Remember:
I also share a powerful real-life story about a friend who prayed for a way out of temptation and saw God answer in an unexpected way. It’s a reminder that no matter how hard it feels, there’s always an escape route if we look for it. If you or someone you know could use some encouragement in this area, I’d love for you to check out this episode. (I’ve also included the text from this chapter of the book below the podcast.) Plus, you’ll hear a song I wrote called Blessed Are You from my piano album Clear My Mind. Get the book or piano book here!
"Dealing With Temptation" I used to love to play a computer game called Dark Castle. The purpose was to try to escape from a castle in which you were trapped. Each room in the castle had a different challenge. Sometimes you had to throw rocks at bats, jump across moving stones, or duck out of the way of flying objects. In each room there was something special to help you through it: a bag of rocks to throw, a special keystroke to help you jump higher, or a jet pack to help you fly. I would look around each room until I found the way of escape. When I found it, I would take it and move on to the next room. Eventually, I made it to the end. I defeated the enemy, escaped from the castle and was finally free. God has promised that whenever we face a temptation, He has provided a way of escape. We may not always see it right away, or even want to see it, but it’s always there. The Bible says:
A friend of mine was traveling in another country when he was tempted to go into an area of a town that was known for all kinds of illicit activity. He said he just wanted to see what it was like. As he got onto the subway, he said a short prayer, asking God to provide a way out if God didn’t want him to do this. When the train stopped at his destination, he stepped onto the platform and was soon surrounded by a group of people who asked him to come with them. Although he had trouble understanding their language, he could tell they must be Christians and that they were inviting him to their church. Remembering his prayer, he decided to go with them instead of going to where he had originally planned. Amazingly, when he got to their church, they baptized him. They gave him a cup of hot tea and another subway ticket to get back home—which he promptly used for that purpose! Of course, it would have been easier if my friend had simply not gotten on the train when he first thought about heading into sin. But the fact that God still answered his prayer and provided him yet another way out, is a demonstration of the lengths to which God will go to lead us out of temptation. Jesus knew how real and significant our temptations would be. He knew that it was so important that He included it in His model prayer that He taught to His disciples to pray, which we now call the Lord’s Prayer. It says, in part:
The Apostle Paul felt that resisting temptation was so important that he wrote to the people living in Corinth:
Joseph felt that fleeing from temptation was so important that when temptation came to him, he ran the other way! Take a look at what Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him:
Joseph got thrown into jail for running away, but jail was nothing compared to the price he would have paid if he had stayed! In the end, God honored Joseph’s obedience and made him second in command over all of Egypt. When we’re tempted, God always provides a way of escape—even if it’s just to turn and run—and He wants us to take it every time.
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The Ranch 