Don’t Give in to Temptation

Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13

Meditate. Don’t give in to temptation.

 

Jesus taught His disciples…and us…to pray like this, including an important phrase: don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

            Paul taught Jesus Christ’s principles, including that everyone faces the same temptations, just as Jesus did.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. No difference. Everyone is tempted. It doesn’t matter if you are red, yellow, brown, black, or white, rich or poor, single, married, or in a committed relationship, educated or illiterate, employed or unemployed, a Christian, Jew, agnostic, or Muslim…you face temptations in your life.

Paul was speaking to the Christians in Corinth, but his message is good for all humanity. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. What tempts you?

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:12-15

The Holy Spirit is often depicted as a dove.
Let the Holy Spirit guide your life.

James tells us that God does not tempt us. Temptation comes from our own desires—from our sinful nature. Are you following your sinful nature? Our choices make the difference.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21

What can you do about the temptation?

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Colossians 3:5

Choices…it all comes down to the choices we make, day by day…moment by moment. Choose to have nothing to do with things that tempt you. Yesterday, I mentioned that I have found that reciting scripture to myself is very useful in directing my thoughts away from temptations. This scripture passage should give each of us encouragement. Try using one of the scriptures above. Temptations are no different for you…or your neighbor, spouse, friends, family, or work associates.

 

Prayer – Lord God, the temptations in my life are no different from what others experience. You are faithful and will not allow the temptation to be more than I can stand. When I am tempted, You will show me a way out so that I can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13. Thank You for Your promise, Your love, and Your commitment to show me a way out of the grip of temptation.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ But I keep praying to you, LORD, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Psalm 69:13

 

What can we learn from this about Jesus, about life, and about God?

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Party Time! Whether it is a Birthday or a Valentine’s Celebration, it is fun to have a special meal. What will your menu be? How about shrimp linguine, a tossed green salad with artichoke hearts, and Italian bread with dipping oil? Include fresh fruit and some sponge cake for dessert. Or splurge with a well- known Southern hummingbird cake. Watch for the recipe next week.

 

If you make your own linguine noodles—ahhh—go for it. I’m sure you have a favorite recipe for that; cook up a box of linguine noodles along with all the other ingredients below.

 

Shrimp Linguine for 8

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds cooked fresh shrimp

6 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 cup heavy whipping cream

½ cup chopped parsley

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

½ teaspoon dried thyme

¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

salt to taste

ground black pepper to taste

1 (16-ounce) package linguini pasta

 

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook linguine at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and sauté briefly to release flavor. If using raw shrimp, at this point, cook in the melted butter for 3-5 minutes or until red. Add cream; heat just to boiling, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat to low. If using pre-cooked shrimp, stir in shrimp, parsley, basil, and thyme. Continue cooking until shrimp are just heated through; remove sauce from heat.
3. Drain pasta and toss lightly with cream sauce. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste; toss again, serve, and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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