If you ever watch the summer olympics you will see this device used for multiple events. The ladies vault uses a springboard that changes the forward momentum of the athlete to an upward angle to propel them into whatever flipping move they attempt. The device may also be used by the ladies and the men in mounting the uneven or giant bar apparatus. There is of course, the springboard diving board as well that gives the diver a bit of upward momentum as they perform the dive.
The pastor of the church I attend mentioned last Sunday (Jan 20) that temptation is a springboard for the Christian. As he said, we must remember that temptation is not a sin it is the culmination of temptation that is sin.
“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 1:13-15 NLT
So who is tempting us?
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
We are to overcome temptation and stop it before is gives birth to sin. How do we overcome? By the blood of the lamb (salvation) and the word of our testimony.
“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.” Revelation 12:10-11 NLT
The more often that we overcome a specific temptation the easier it is to overcome it next time. As we learn to walk we are unstable and don’t know how to use our balancing system. The further we go and the more we walk the better we become at maintaining our balance. This is true of temptation as well, the more we overcome and the further we get down the road the easier it is to ignore a specific temptation. I am not saying temptation will be gone…no, no, the enemy of our soul will change tactics and modify temptations or bring new ones to bare against us. But we should be learning from experience that we are more than conquerors.
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NLT
It is also clear that what we face is nothing new and God is there with us and will provide us a way out. We just have to follow His lead to the fire exit.
“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 NLT
Thank you Lord that we have been made more than conquerors through the blood of Christ and that we are dead to sin. May we see temptation in the new light that it is nothing more than a spiritual muscle builder as we overcome it by continuously denying our sinful self in pursuit of you. Thank you as well that you always provide a way out for us and that no temptation we meet ever surprises you. To you be glory, honor, power, and praise. Amen.
Be blessed…
Thoughts 