Journal ~ ProverbsSample

 OVERCOMING TEMPTATION 

For the women reading this, I will try to phrase it a different way: For the words of the relational man sound so understanding, and his text messages are so meaningful; but he will break your heart and your soul. He follows a deadly path, walking straight to the cemetery. He doesn't think about living the right way; his life is without value, but he doesn't know it.

Monica’s thoughts:  If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is… Be careful of flattery/pressure from so-called “friends.” Sin always costs more than you expect.  Sin steals more than the moment, it has long-term consequences:not least of which is making our hearts hard towards God’s ways.

Bait and switch?  Temptation comes in different forms for men and women.  It seems good for the moment—you start to feel like a man again, or you start to feel like you finally met a man who appreciates you. But the result of the temptation is the same—to draw you away from the right path, to lead you towards sin and away from your relationship with God. Your relationship with your spouse and others will be casualties as well.

How do you overcome temptation? Keep your relationship with God alive. Worship. Read the Word. Pray. Confess sin. Fast. Resolve problems with your spouse and friends quickly. Don’t let flattery or peer pressure lead you away from what you know to be God's righteousness. And find a friend you can share the temptations with. A shared temptation is not a temptation at all.