guest post by Suzie Eller
“When you are tempted, remind the enemy — and yourself — that you are incredibly loved and made for more. ~ Jesus”
We tend to think of temptation as BIG.
When I think of temptation, I tend to think of BIG things. It’s cheating. It’s stealing something that’s not ours. It’s something news headline worthy or at least fodder for local gossip.
Yet that’s not normally our greatest temptation. Instead, our greatest temptations come in ways that no one sees. We are tempted to discouragement. We are tempted to give up. We are tempted to look at ourselves and see a mess.
Those temptations may not be defined as BIG, but they pile up like mountains in our heart and thoughts. They get in the way of God’s best for us, and they trip us up.
Just this past week I was tempted.
No one saw it. If I wanted, I could push it down, down, down where I didn’t have to acknowledge it. Rather than be ashamed of temptation, the truth is we all struggle with it. If I pretend that I don’t, I’m lying to myself (and to you).
It started innocent enough. Richard and I were enjoying a rare night out together. He said something, and I disagreed. I pushed back, and so did he. Before we knew it, it sat between us like a boulder.
I was tempted to make him see it my way.
I was tempted to keep talking until he “got it.”
I was tempted to be angry when he didn’t.
I have to be honest. I was more than tempted. I caved in to all three of those things.
Don’t do it.
Oh, no. Not you! Not the Holy Spirit when I’m fully ready to cave in. After all, I’m right (even though he thinks he’s right).
So, I tried to compromise (because I was tempted, so more caving in).
Okay, I won’t say anything more.
I won’t try to make him see it my way. I’ll just be silent. Deafeningly silent. On the outside, we’ll look like the perfect couple enjoying a night out. Richard will reach for my hand, and I’ll hold it. I’ll nod and maybe say a word or two, but we’ll all be aware that I’m still angry. I’ll be so miserable that he’ll be miserable too.
Don’t do it.
There it was again. That invitation to take a different path. To resist temptation that seemed small, but Jesus knew had the power to create a divot in my heart (and relationship) if I chose.
Temptation isn’t reserved for a few. In Luke 4, the enemy tried to tempt Jesus. Some of the temptations were big, but others incredibly small. Jesus met each with the same response.
He faced the enemy head-on, declaring that His love for His Father was greater than a right-now temptation. He refused to be deceived by one who cared less about Him, and more about the destruction of His soul.
Jesus understands how hard it is to be tempted. When we are tempted in any way, we are offered an invitation. We are invited to remind the enemy — and ourselves – that we are made for more.
That night I had a choice. First, to acknowledge that every temptation is BIG, when it filters into an enemy’s plan for my heart, or my marriage.
Second, to go the other direction of that temptation.
I reached for Richard’s hand, and said I was sorry.
I still felt I was “right,” but being right was less important than a right relationship with the guy I loved. He saw it one way. I saw it another. We are two different people, and that’s going to happen.
Sure, there are times we have to work through BIG conflict to find what is right for us as a family or in a relationship, but in this instance, it really was small. Even if I was right, it didn’t change anything.
However, realizing that I was made for more than a petty disagreement did change something – it changed me.
It wasn’t the first time I’ve been tempted. It won’t be the last. We all face temptation.
Whether it’s BIG or incredibly small (in the eyes of the world), we are not without help when temptation comes our way. And if we fail – because sometimes we all do – we won’t be tempted to give up or hide, because Jesus offers all of us forgiveness and a fresh start.
Are you tempted?
Look that temptation in the eye. Remind the author of it that you are incredibly loved, and made for more.
Suzie
******************
Suzie Eller is an author, international speaker, Bible teacher, top 100 Christian women’s blogger, and popular media guest. Suzie has served Proverbs Ministries for 10 years. And has been featured on Focus on the Family, Aspiring Women, Harvest Show, 100 Huntley Street, KLOVE, Daystar and many others. She’s a regular contributor to KLRC radio’s Words that Make a Positive Difference.
Suzie Eller just released her latest book, Come With Me: A Yearlong Adventure in Following Jesus. and she wants to share what she’s discovered with you. Here’s what you’ll want to do:
- Leave a comment below to enter the Come With Me book giveaway.
- Visit Suzie’s website HERE and download 5 FREE audio devotionals and Scripture journal pages.
- Purchase your own copy of Come With Me at these following sites:
Amazon
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Barnes & Noble
Christian Book Store
*If you purchase the book through Proverbs 31 Ministries, the cost is a bit higher but 100% of the profits go right back into reaching women all over the world through First5, Encouragement for Today devotions, radio, and P31 OBS.
Big thanks to Suzie Eller and her team at Bethany House Publishers for this giveaway offer!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Heidi Amoth! She is our winner of this week’s giveaway! Thanks to everyone else for leaving your comments. Your words matter!
Angie says
Found this blog which I thought was by accident, but with all that is going on with me in my marriage, I see that it was not by accident, it was God leading me. I am committed to change my life and turn it around, I need to fix me and your blog really touched me today. Thank you!
Leah DiPascal says
Angie, I’m so glad God lead you here so that could be encouraged. I’m praying for your marriage today.
Kelli Tuttle says
The Lord led me to read this post. Was exactly what I needed to read tonight after feeling like a crazy mess and crying all evening. Thank you Jesus for your unconditional love!
Leah says
Kelli, I love how Jesus lead you here.
Sara says
Feels so familiar to me as I too struggle with temptations, big & small. Thanks for reminding me “I was made for more,” even through the hard times that I feel like giving up.
Jill Buford says
Can’t wait to read it. Thank you.
Mary Tullila says
Awesome post!! Temptations ..it’ll break ya or grow ya.
Kelsey Remmelts says
Amen sista. Love the reminder of how temptation is constantly beckoning us and we have to stand strong, in Jesus’s name, on His firm foundation. Thank you and blessings!
Heidi says
Thanks for the guest post from Suzie, Leah, and a chance to win a copy of hr new book. It is so hard to always want to be right but Strengthening and preserving my relationships is so much more important!
Hilda says
I’d love this new Devo!
Trish says
You must have been riding in the backseat of our car on our date night recently…same temptation…thank you for the message to see temptation as soon as it arises & defy it…rise above it!
Leah says
Thanks, Trish. I love your honesty. 🙂
Marik says
Thank you so much for diving a bit deeper into this important topic and widening its definition. Oh how I agree, that even small temptations that we cave into every day or even once in a while, can end up affecting our significant relationships to a great degree- and then we don’t even understand how we got there (bitter, bruised, unhealthy in communication style, etc.)
I have a strong personality naturally and I work with lawyers as a full time job, so advocating for my point/proving that I am right ( 🙂 ) has become over the years a natural thing to do. What an important reminder for me personally not to allow being right ruin the most important relationships in my life!
Leah says
Marik, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me today.
Delores McPherson says
Thank You Suzie for the reminder that Jesus loves me more. More than the circumstance. More than my desire to be right ( and believe me for me that is BIG) and way more than the world loves me. When I focus on His love for me, it becomes so much easier to share that love with others. Thank you also for putting yourself out there when I am sure there are times you would rather stay hidden. May all of us bask in the glory of His love and follow in His steps. Have a gloriously blessed day.
Kathy says
I appreciate the illustration of how you dealt with your temptation in holding on to your anger. I’ve found it helpful when having conflict with my husband to speak the name of Jesus within. It calms my spirit and directs my thoughts to the Lord. He knows the way to diffuse any negative situation and gives me peace in the midst of trials.
Leah says
So true, Kathy. Speaking the name of Jesus and being aware of our Lord’s presence could certainly change our perspectives and attitudes during those heated discussions with our spouse.
Kathy says
Temptation is always the way the enemy wants to sidetrack our relationship with God. I’ve found it helps to softly within speak the name of Jesus when in conflict. I feel His presence flood my being. It is amazing to see the wall or boulder between me and another disappear. Your temptation illustrates how subtle it is to justify our anger and cause a major obstacle in communication. May we seek to be those who follow God’s ways of love.
Alma says
Great reminder that any relationship is more important than being right.
Leah says
Alma, thanks for sharing your thoughts with me this morning. Blessings to you and your family!
Dawnielle says
Really needed this reminder of how loved I am, and how sleazy and sneaky the Enemy of My Soul really is.
Leah says
Dawnielle, yes, you are loved in so many ways by our Heavenly Father!
Denise says
So needed right now. Thank you.
Leah says
Thanks for leaving a comment, Denise. Have a great day!
Elsie says
Thank you for the devotion and sharing that you put love first over being right. It is always good to hear how much Jesus loves us.
Leah says
Elsie, God’s love for you is uncontainable and will last for eternity.