No Temptation Has Taken You Devotional

My palms were sweaty on the steering wheel as I wound down a twisty Missouri road. Something didn’t feel right, but the GPS was on…so we couldn’t be going the wrong way…could we? 

Normally our way home from my husband’s parents was interstate driving, but we’d been on a state highway for a bit. My husband snored softly beside me–he had taken the early shift of driving already and was taking a well-earned nap. The kids were enraptured watching Cars 3 and even our youngest was sleeping. I didn’t want to stop. 

So against my instincts, I kept going. Surely the GPS was directing us around some accident or road construction. About an hour later, I placed a hand on my husband’s arm, “Babe, I think we’re maybe off track, but I don’t know. Could you check the map and just make sure?” 

“Oh, sure.” he roused himself and popped open his phone. “Uh, sweetie, where are we?”

Inadvertently, I had turned on the “avoid major highways” filter on the GPS. So instead of a 10 hour drive we were now on a 13 hour drive.

I knew in my gut something was wrong, but I kept going anyway. That moment—ignoring my gut while passing off-ramp after off-ramp—felt eerily similar when I read the story of David’s downfall in Scripture this past week. David took advantage of Bathsheba, murdered her husband (his friend and comrade), and tried to cover it all up. It’s a sobering reminder of how quickly unchecked temptation can snowball into devastating consequences.

David saw something he wanted, and did whatever it took to get it, regardless of the fallout. He passed off ramp after off ramp. He could have looked away. He could have found out she was married (to his friend!),  mounted a horse, and rode out to the frontlines where he belonged. But he bought into his own press. Believing to his core what Nathan the prophet said to him a few chapters earlier. “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.” (2 Samuel 7:3)

When I was driving around the middle of nowhere in Missouri, I had lots of opportunities to pause and reroute. But I didn’t. I kept going to the detriment of our whole family. (Surprisingly enough, children do not get happier the longer you drive.) 

Sin does that too. The impact of our decisions to “reach and take” doesn’t happen in a bubble. It didn’t work that way for David and it doesn’t for us either. His family and kingdom descend into heartbreak and chaos–even after David has confessed, repented, been forgiven and restored. Like a pebble hits a smooth lake, there is no stopping the ripples. 

No Temptation Has Taken You

Temptation is not just a David problem. It’s an us problem. From the beginning of our church’s journey through the Bible this year our pastor has said, “There are things in life that will be within your reach that do not belong in your hand.” 

The world is full of pleasing, delightful, beautiful things that are not for you. God doesn’t promise you’ll never want something you can’t have, He promises to provide the off-ramp. 

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it. -1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) 

I love how Paul centers the way out of temptation on God’s faithfulness. I don’t deserve an exit from the web I’ve woven for myself. But His goodness means sin doesn’t have the final say. His promise to love me and save me still stands. There’s no choice so bad He can’t redeem.

God is faithful

God is faithful to provide off-ramps when temptation comes barreling toward me. My part is to be humble enough to take them—to admit I’ve been heading the wrong way and turn back toward Him. But even when I blow past every exit, His grace still finds me. The cross guarantees that sin doesn’t get the final say, because Jesus has already purchased my freedom.

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. -Ephesians 1:6-8 (NLT) 

Father, You are so good and so kind. When I wander off, get lost, or lash out, Your grace holds steady. You’re the Good Shepherd who always comes searching for His lost sheep. Thank You for off-ramps. Thank You that Your faithfulness is always stronger than any temptation. Through Your Spirit, give me awareness and self-control. Keep my hands from reaching for what is not mine, and turn my heart toward You. Amen.