The playwright Oscar Wilde wrote: “I can resist anything except temptation.” Humorous, yet it seems to ring true when temptations come our way.

I started reflecting on this as I read Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. He highlighted aspects of temptation that I had never thought of before. And Chambers pointed out that temptation itself isn’t a bad thing.

“We speak of temptation as a sin, but it isn’t. It’s an inherent part of human nature, something every one of us inevitably faces.”

Chambers says some of us suffer with temptations we have no business suffering, “…lowly temptations that afflict us because we have refused to let God lift us to a higher plane.”

Satan knows just where to tempt me. For instance, I have never been tempted to rob a bank. I don’t even have to think about it. It has no allure for me. My walk with the Lord has put me on a level where that thought is no temptation at all.

The Bible is clear, though, that we will face temptations. Jesus did. The writer of Hebrews says that we can benefit because Jesus was tempted.

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 NIV

The key is to keep my sights firmly set on the highest—on God himself—and let what is merely good pass me by, however tempting it may be to follow it.

The late Edwin Louis Cole, founder of the Christian Men’s Network, wrote, “Knowledge of God’s Word is a bulwark against deception, temptation, accusation, even persecution.”

The power of God’s Word. That’s why the Psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NLT)

As I pondered the thoughts of Oswald Chambers, my mind turned to an old hymn written by Presbyterian minister Elisha Hoffman. Among the more than two thousand hymns he composed was one with a simple idea that carried deep meaning.

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.
O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win.
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

Not only can Jesus help you in your times of temptation, He will.
As Henry Blackaby reminds us, “You will never face a temptation so strong that God has not made complete provision for you to overcome it.”

Tempted? Simply…tell Jesus.

God’s best,