Temptations, we all have them. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptations to be more than you can bear. When tempted He will show you a way out so that you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The following story is not a personal one. I read it somewhere (can’t remember where..lol) but it resonated with my spirit and I felt compelled to share.

There it was…. carved in wood. The evidence could not be denied. A nail and a name!

A name carved into the top of dresser’s surface. The child did not bother to hide the weapon. The nail was in plain sight next to the carved name.

It would be hours before the mom could confront the child.

Upon arrival home, the mom said “come with me I want to show you something.” As the mom points to the carved name on the dresser, “what is this?” With lowered head, the child’s lips quivered and eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry the child whimpered.”

“What were you thinking” asked the mom. The child responds, “well, last night I was waiting on my turn to take a shower. I saw the nail and picked it up. When I first thought about carving my name in the dresser my mind said nooo don’t do it. But the longer I waited on my turn and the longer I thought about it, the no turned into yes, so, I did it. I carved my name in the dresser. I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway.”

The mom grabs the child’s hands looked her in the eyes and said, “that’s how the devil works.” “He creeps in when we don’t expect it and entices us to do bad things-wrong things, but it’s up to us to resist and say no.”

The child hugged her mom and said, “I’m sorry mom, I’ll never listen to the devil again!”

Does this story resonate with you? Can you see yourself in situations succumbing to the yes of the enemies lies?

Temptation lies right in front of us—just like a nail taunting us to scratch an itch. Initially we say “no,” but the longer we toy around with the idea the more likely the “no” will turn into a “yes.”

Let’s not fool ourselves, we are not ignorant of temptation. The enemy studies each of us and knows what we “like” and is eager to put those temptations in our path.

Remember in the story the child said “I’ll never listen to the devil again.” Don’t you wish that were true? The fact is, at some point we will listen to the devil, but will you fall prey to his lies?

The enemy loves when we waddle in the self-pity of wrong doing. But praise God and Thank Jesus Christ for the nails—not one, but three—nails that pierced His hands and feet so that we can be forgiven.  Even when we fail, Jesus forgives us when we confess and restores us when we fall----that’s called G.R.A.C.E! (2 Corinthians 12:9).

PEARLStoPONDER: As you encounter temptation ask the Lord through the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom not to dabble with it, the strength not to give in and the courage to walk away.

Matthew 26:41--Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Romans 5:8--but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 10:13--No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Ephesians 6:13-- Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Hebrews 4:15-- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

James 1:12-13--¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

1 John 1:9-- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.