A friend posted this thought the other day, “Never mistake temptation for opportunity” and yet that is how temptation comes to us doesn’t it? It appears as a subtle opportunity to fulfill whatever pleasurable desire of the flesh is ours, for a season! Hebrews 11:25 

There was one fruit that was forbidden to Adam and Eve, yet Satan presented Eve an opportunity to look at the forbidden in a different way. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eye, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat” Gen 3:6…Eve was tempted and deceived and she seized the opportunity to fulfill the desire that was hers. Adam wasn’t deceived but fulfilled his own desire; he loved Eve more than he did God and they both fell. 

Nothing comes to me without God’s hand, but the temptation is mine to claim and in that temptation I am humbled, my faith and my patience are tried and I see my weakness and my need of Christ, temptation has a purpose. I pray I might be led to prayer and watchfulness by those temptations and I might remember that in my flesh I am carnal, sold under sin. Only in Christ and the power of His Gospel can I flee the hour of temptation. 

“And lead us not into temptation” Matthew 6:13a

“Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak” Mark 14:38

“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand”. Psalm 37:24

Grace and Peace!