Did you hear the first part of this scripture about temptation? It’s basically saying: “Hey, if you think that you are safe from temptation, you better watch out because you are closer than you think.”
We know that being a teenager can be super challenging, and the temptations that you each face, or will face, can be intense. It doesn’t matter where you live–here in Uganda, or America, or the UK, or anywhere else in the world–most teens face many of the same temptations.
What are some of those common temptations? Can you think of other temptations that you’ve seen others face?
Regardless of how big or small we think the temptation is, God wants to help you fight it. In fact, He says He will provide a way out. Now, some people read the scripture that God will never let them be tempted beyond what they can bear and think it is a free pass. But that doesn’t mean that they can walk right up to the line and God won’t let them pass. That’s not what this scripture is saying, is it?
God gives us reminders of how we should live. We know that we shouldn’t lie or steal or kill, right? God gives us those reminders of how to live to help us to fight temptation before it strikes because He knows temptation will strike everyone. Here is the tricky part: God knows when we are trying to push those lines or those rules, and you can’t fool God.
God will offer you a way out, but often it starts at the very beginning. Those small decisions or the tiny lies–those are the moments where God wants to help you. Those are the ‘get out of it’ moments that He is giving to you before that snowball starts down the hill. We’ve all known people who do one small thing that leads to another small thing, and another, until the problem becomes really big. Nobody sets out to get into trouble or to be addicted to alcohol, drugs, or pornography.
Instead, it begins when you click on that one picture on the internet or take that one drink.
God wants to offer you a way out before that downhill slide starts, and it really does require you to be honest with yourself and honest with God. It will require you to make some tough choices, and it might mean that you spend some time not following the crowd.
But ask yourself this: think about that person you know who has major problems in their life…where did those problems start? Trace it back to that first decision. You will be faced with those same decisions, and God is offering you a way out before disaster hits. He will offer you a way out, but He doesn’t promise that the way out will be easy or popular.
Sometimes that way out means that you are the lone person making that decision, or not going to the party, or not hanging with those friends. You might be standing alone, but remember this: when you make those choices, you are not alone because God stands with you.
Maybe you are sitting here today knowing that you’ve already started making those decisions….you’re giving in to temptation. Maybe you being here today and hearing this lesson is God offering you the way out.
Confess that you are being tempted or that you’ve made those decisions, and stop right now. If you need help, ask Him for help. If you feel weak, cry out to Him. Because God wants to give you strength, and it is no accident that you are here today. In fact, it’s no accident that you have been here the last four weeks and have been reminded that God sees you and loves you and has purpose in your life.