Recently, my wife and I purchased a new front loading, high capacity washing machine for our family. Please understand what a blessing this was. Washing for a family of 8 can take FOREVER with a normal sized washing machine. 
In our house, we have placed this washing machine in our laundry area which is at the base of the stairs leading to my daughter’s room. Just imagine it … every time she walks by she thinks “I wonder what it would be like to get into the washing machine? I wonder if I could actually fit? I could post this picture on my mySpace and win cool points with all my friends?” Weeks go by and this temptation continues to pull at her. Finally, she gives in. One night, when no one is looking or around (most likely … we were all in bed … where she should have been) … she sets the camera to auto, quickly hops in the washer and gets the shot. But, as with all sin, she is soon discovered.
Her mistake (besides getting in the washer) – not removing the picture from MY digital camera. I discovered the incriminating photo the following night. You may be wondering about how angry a parent can get at a child who does this kind of thing to an expensive washing machine … but I must admit, the totally and ridiculously thought about what she did tends to make you laugh more than be angry. It’s kind of like that 2 year old who got into Mommy’s lipstick and painted her face with it … how can you NOT laugh at that???
I regress … let me continue.
My daughter failed at dealing with temptation. She gave in to the calling of the washing machine. But what about you? When the opportunity comes to cheat on your taxes slightly in a way that you “know” you won’t get caught comes up, how do you deal with this? When a situation is set in place which puts you in contact with someone of the opposite sex (who is not your spouse) on a regular basis comes up, how do you deal with that? Men … if you are in an airport and you see the risky magazines calling you to buy them (and look), how do you deal with that? Women … when your husband is not giving you the attention you need, and you see opportunities to have that gap filled elsewhere, how do you deal with that?
The list can go on and on. How do you deal with temptation?
First, remember this …
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Second, remember to pray …
Matthew 26:41 (NIV) and Mark 14:38 (NIV)
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Third, remember to be filled with the Holy Spirit daily …
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Please notice that the title of this blog is “How do you DEAL with temptation?” and not “How to AVOID temptation.” Temptation is real. From satan, from the longings of your flesh, and from the things around us that we see and hear on a daily basis. So, prepare yourself now to deal with the temptation to come.
The scriptures above … Matthew 26:41 and Mark 14:38 were spoken to Peter before Jesus was arrested. Jesus knew Peter’s temptation to deny him was coming. Who knows? We may not have the scriptures of Peter’s denial in God’s Word had he prayed when Christ told him to pray. Instead, he slept.
What about you? Are you sleeping. Pray now for strength and wisdom to deal with the temptations that are coming your way!
Go with God,
Donald B
Funny pic of your daughter. Family of 8? You have many arrows in your quiver. Forgot the scripture that one’s in.
Temptation comes in many forms. When I was in Alcoholics Anonymous, in the early days of my trying to shake this dreadful addiction, someone told me about H.A.L.T. Never get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. It seems when I forget that wise advice, I seem to give in to temptation much easier. This is usually when the serpent slithers into my subconscious. Preventative measures against temptation seem to help.
I try to weigh my decisions by thinking if this will be pleasing to the Father. Would Jesus say or do this? How will this affect His ability to use me for the work of the Kingdom? Will this hurt others? The problem is that many times temptation comes quickly and catches us off guard.
Cumby …
Love the H.A.L.T. terminology! First time I’ve ever seen that. And it is so true.
Go with God,
Donald B
How do you deal with temptation? Pray! Bring every thought captive, refuse by Gods grace to entertain it, and pray some more. rebuke the devil and he will flee.
Talking with Jesus always, always makes a difference.
The more aware you are the quicker you overcome, the more often you overcome, the easier it is. All by the grace of Jesus…
Good post and I can relate to the laundry, and having children do crazy stuff having 6 kids of our own!
Blessings!
Susan
Susan,
Great input! Thanks!
6 kids is a lot of kids … but it sure enough never leaves you bored.
Donald B
[...] How do you deal with temptation? [...]
yes temptation is bad and we face it every day but to the point if your daughter was washed with a mixed load of blue jeans and shirts this may cause your front load washer to be out of balance and like the front load washer is like us in the way that temptation and sin are heavy jeans and towels, righteousness and goodness are like light weight shirts and khakis in you can’t mix them in the washer it causes the machine to get out of balance just like us