How to Avoid Temptation

Written By Betty Predmore

HEBREWS 2:1-18

(October 31)

I have been on a weight loss journey for the last 348 days. I have been using an app to keep myself on track, and it is working. I have lost 51 pounds so far and hope to lose another 12-15 pounds.

The hardest part of this journey has been TEMPTATION. It is everywhere. Commercials show yummy treats that sound delicious. Restaurant signs try to lure me in. My own family eats sweets in front of me. And sometimes I get cravings for the delights of my past ... peanut butter M & M's.

I have talked to God ALOT during this almost one year of watching my calorie intake. I have relied on him for strength to walk past the candy aisle or not stop at Dairy Queen for a Snickers blizzard (they are AMAZING!)

As much has temptation has lived on my shoulder this past year, I have stood strong. I have learned to put it out of my mind and concentrate on something positive, like the size of my jeans or how far I have come. And while this temptation has been tough for me, I know without a doubt it is nothing that hasn't been around since the beginning of time.

Eve was the first to give in to temptation. She allowed the enemy to get into her thoughts and because of this, she made a bad decision. Satan has a strategy that he uses to tempt us. He questions God's word. Then he contradicts God by twisting that word and not telling the whole truth. Then he offers a seemingly "good" alternative, which is in fact disobedient to God's word. He is a crafty little bugger!

He used the same strategies on Jesus in the wilderness that we read about in Matthew 4: 1-11. He continues to use those same strategies on us today. He would love nothing more than for me to sit down and eat a whole box of Hostess cupcakes and say, "Forget about this diet!" Then I would be back to my usual self-conscious mindset, which would just delight his socks off.

It takes diligence to stay on the path God has for us. We can't let the devil throw us off course. We must always concentrate on protecting our salvation. We are to focus our mind and attention on this beautiful gift. When we don't, we are so much more susceptible to the temptations around us.

Because Jesus lived a life of humanity, sharing in our temptations and understanding our nature, he is perfectly qualified to be our Saviour. He is able to relate to our problems and have empathy for our situation. It's kind of a "been there, done that" scenario. So, He knows the temptations that we face, and the power they can have over us.

Through his strength, we can overcome temptation, just as he did. And when we fall short, he can help us restore our broken relationship with God. Committing ourselves fully to Christ and trusting completely in the sacrifice he has made for us allows us to be released for sin's domination over us and allows us mercy when temptation gets the better of us.

Motto of this story is ... keep yourself focused on Jesus, on your salvation, and on the sacrifice made for you. When you do this, your eyes won't be focused on the things that tempt you into sin.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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