Application
The best way to beat temptation is to say, "No!" and then run away.
Text
2 Timothy 2:22.
Enough for an Icecream?
Jimmy was saving up for his mother's birthday. He had seen the
perfect gift in the local florist shop. He opened his money box
and counted the money for the umpteenth time. There was nearly
enough and with tomorrow's pocket money he would have plenty.
He was determined not to do anything bad, as he only received his
pocket money when he had been a good boy.
As he fingered the money, he wondered if there would be enough for an
ice-cream. It was a terrible struggle because he so loved
ice-creams. Any flavour and the more the merrier! His mouth
watered as he tried to decide what flavour he could buy. Every
time he heard the chimes of the brightly coloured ice-cream van coming
down his street, he would normally rush outside to buy a big delicious
treat. He just couldn't resist the temptation each week.
But, now there was Mom's present to be brought! So he put his
money away and climbed into bed.
Run from Temptation!
As he was saying his prayers, his mother tiptoed into his bedroom to
tuck him into bed. She caught the end of his prayer: "And,
please God, help me run away when the van comes tomorrow!" For
Jimmy, the only way to beat temptation was to run away from the
ice-cream van. In 1 Corinthians 10:12, Paul warns us:
"Even if you think you can stand up to temptation,
be careful not to fall."
Saying "No!"
Sometimes it's not easy to say "No!" when you are tempted to do wrong and
bad things. And what do you do when you are tempted to say or do
something that you know is wrong? In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul
tells us:
"But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much,
and He will show you how to escape from your temptations.”
Do you think you can stand up to temptation? We must do our part,
but always pray that God will help you to say, "NO!!" And He will.
2 Timothy 2:22, Paul advises us to:
"Run from temptations that capture young people
and always do the right thing."
Keeping Away from Temptations:
Paul meant that we should keep away from the evil desires of childhood
that might cause us to yield to sin because of their strong appeal.
That's good advice that we should listen to. Make sure you don't go
to places you know to be wrong, and avoid people who will tempt you to do
wrong.
Be sure to run from the ice-cream van! Jimmy did and he was happy as
he ran home with Mom's present in his arms. He just couldn't wait
to give it to her!
God bless!