“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”
Schools are finally letting out for the summer! It’s time
for vacations, camps, trips and free time. For the past several months, many
students couldn’t wait to throw off the daily grind of school’s routine and
embrace the freedom of the summer months.
Yet having a defined routine is good. It keeps you
consistent, focused and motivated. Stepping into summer break, many have no plans
and no routine. It’s time to vacation from thinking, from planning and from
routine.
I remember my teacher at Word of Life Bible Institute
reminding us that a “vacation from school doesn’t mean a vacation from God.” He
was encouraging us to prioritize our faith and use the free time wisely.
Why was he so urgent? Because experience had taught him that
“idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Boredom can breed discontentment and mischievousness.
Temptation is magnified when you are alone and bored. What are you going to do
when temptation comes in like a flood?
This week’s lesson is focusing on the importance of fighting
off temptations. I thought it was appropriate for this week as many students
are going on summer break and need to be reminded not to let their guard down.
For some students, getting ready for school also meant
preparing to go into spiritual battle every day, as they recognize the
spiritual needs of their schools. The feeling of excitement to have a summer
where they can relax and let their guard down is intriguing. The problem is the
enemy never rests. It is when we feel like we don’t have to prepare for battle
that he attacks (Ephesians 6:12).
I hope to encourage the students to prepare for a summer of
spiritual growth by helping them recognize a helpful process when facing
temptation.
Recognize your
weaknesses
We all have weaknesses. These are areas we struggle in more
than others. Some struggle with money, power, lust, greed, envy, gossip, and so
on. The important thing is to ask God to help you see and understand your
weaknesses (Psalm 139:23-24). As you understand your weakness you can avoid
things that will trigger temptation.
Understand that Sin
is a Big Issue
The enemy wants you to think that sin isn’t a big deal. He
wants you to believe that God wants to take all the fun away, or that it won’t
hurt anyone so it’s ok. Or a popular statement today is, “God wants me to be
happy doesn’t He?” The point of that question is that the person is trying to
justify their wrong behavior.
The truth is, “yes, God does want you to be happy, that’s
why He demands your holiness!” You see, the pursuit of holiness is removing all
the things that truly make you unhappy in life, which is sin. The pursuit of
holiness is pursuing God above all else.
Sin, on the other hand, will always leave you empty and
lacking (Galatians 6:7-8). It drives a wedge between you and God. Always
remember that sin cost Jesus His life on the cross. It’s a very big deal.
The Bible is Your
Defense
When Jesus was taken into the wilderness and tempted, He
defeated Satan by quoting the Bible. He knew and memorized the Bible and used
it to overcome. How well do you know the Bible? Regular time reading the Word
of God and memorizing it will prove to be the most rewarding thing you can do
with your time. When you are studied up and equipped with memory verses, you
will find that you are ready for battle when temptations strike.
I remember a season of reading the Bible where I felt like I
was getting absolutely nothing out of the book of Jeremiah. I asked God to help
me understand it, but every morning it was dull and boring for months it
seemed. Than one day, I found myself quoting the words of Jeremiah that fit the
occasion perfectly. God is always working in us even when we don’t feel it. The
more time you spend it God’s Word the more He shapes you into the image of
Christ.
Know how to Escape
One of my favorite verses on temptation is 1 Corinthians
10:13:
“No temptation has overtaken
you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be
tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the
way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
It reminds us that we all face temptations and are not
alone. The enemy likes to make you feel weird and unique in temptations. He
wants you to isolate yourself from others and be afraid to talk about them.
However, almost without fail, every time I open up to someone about a
particular temptation, they show a sign of relief and freedom to share their
own struggles.
Notice in the verse that God is the faithful one who will
help you overcome temptation and if it is too great He will provide a way to
escape it. You never have to give in to sin.
Sometimes temptation will come and you will need to stand
strong, face it and overcome it. For instance, a group of friends starts
gossiping about Jenny and you find a strong temptation to join in. Instead you
stand up for Jenny and tell others they shouldn’t be talking about her behind
her back.
However, there are times when temptation are too great and
you have to run away. Think of Joseph in the Bible fleeing from Potiphar’s
wife. Today it could be that you are at your friend’s house and he wants you to
watch a porno video. Don’t try to prove you are strong enough to endure it, run
away! Those images will stick with you forever.
If you know your weaknesses, understand that sin is a big
deal, and know what God’s Word says, you will know how to escape temptation!
This summer, when you are bored and temptation begins to
strike, remember these steps and ask God to give you the strength to overcome!
