January 22
(Luke 4:13 NIV) "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time."
(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."
(1 Peter 5:7-11 NIV) "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. {8} Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. {9} Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. {10} And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. {11} To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Temptation is never permanently defeated. Satan never gives up; he simply waits for a more opportune time. We may win today, but eventually, he will return in a different form with an even greater opportunity. The devil is like a shrewd and cunning lion, circling his prey. He watches for an opening to take us down. He knows our weaknesses and follows our life. Do not let your guard down. We may win today, but if we are not prepared, we can lose tomorrow. Always remember: we have a free will, and that means we always have a choice. God will always provide us with a way out, but we must choose to take it. Sometimes that way out is the simple, but profound little word, “No.” Practice saying it. The devil cannot override a “no” answer from us. He’ll be back later, but we can win many battles when we know the word of God, and when we learn to say “no.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day
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