The real issue isn't "if" but "when" we're enticed and tempted! Our children face tremendous peer pressure and temptations. We do, too! We must help them resist the enticements of this pressure. Also, we must never tire of resisting them ourselves. One example of a parent preparing his child for trials and temptations is found when God affirmed his Son, Jesus, with affirming words at his baptism when he opened the heavens and said:
"You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (
Luke 3:21). And if the words weren't enough, God opened the heavens and sent down Holy Spirit in the form of a dove! How vital were these words of affirmation? When we see what happened next, Jesus' forty days of temptation in the wilderness, we realize they were essential! Satan's first words to Jesus were,
"If you are the Son of God..." God had already blessed his Son with words of affirmation and encouragement before his trials. How much more do those we love need our words of affirmation and love to resist their trials and temptations?!
O God, I do face temptations and enticements. Please guard my heart, my life, and my example. Please help me be a person of character and integrity. In addition, please enable me to lead, protect, guard, and warn my loved ones - those in my physical and spiritual families - and help them avoid stumbling and falling in trials and temptations. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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