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    Today we begin a journey. A journey that will help explain how to overcome the temptations of life and take advantage of the wonderful promise of God in 1 Corinthians 10:13. His promise is true — “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” His promise is also dependent upon one other thing — that we make a choice to take the way of escape!

    1 John states this choice clearly and concisely: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15).

    Here’s the choice: it’s God or you, your desires or His. It sounds so simple on the surface, doesn’t it? My guess is that nearly 100% of those of you who are reading this have verbalized that choice. You may have even had intimate times with God where His will was the most important thing in your life. But for the most part, the choice has been limited and temporary. For the choice isn’t as simple as it seems.

    The truth is that most of us still “love” something in the world. It’s usually hidden away in the secret sins of our lives.

Most of us still “love” something in the world.

    We look at the lingerie ads in the local newspaper and fanaticize over the bodies that are there — as long as we look and don’t touch we aren’t being sinful, right? As long as they aren’t nude, we aren’t being unfaithful to our wives, are we? Maybe we just plain enjoy pornography.

    We flirt a little at work with the guy who takes the time to listen to us. We have no intention of entering into an intimate relationship with him, we’re just wanting to fulfill a need that’s not being met at home. And it’s all very innocent, isn’t it? Or maybe we believe God wants us with someone else.

    Every movie has some sexual content so we justify choosing those that have the least and believe we are being faithful to God’s calling . . . or we don’t even care how much sex, violence and swearing they contain. We don’t tithe since we’re not “under law but under grace,” while all the while we hoard up funds to spend on our pleasures. We’re outraged at the way people drive these days, so “giving them a little of their own medicine” isn’t hateful, it’s just an eye for an eye. So what if we sneak a little spending spree behind our mate’s back. What’s it hurt anyone if I take a little toke, snort a line or drink my blues away?

    You want to win the battle over temptation? You better get real first. You need to make a choice. Not a verbal one, but one from your mind, heart and soul. The call is to “be holy, because I am holy.” (Read 1 Peter 1:13-16). Holiness in a dark world comes at a high price. It’s often painful and frightening at first. But the payoff is winning the battle against the temptations that we allow to lead us into sin.

    So, begin today with one thing: chose to be “holy.” Continue to choose each day. It will help you make decisions in the gray areas of life. It will keep you from choosing by popular consensus and let you be true to the conscience God is renewing through his Word. Stop your affair with the world and bring your secret sins into the light!