"We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it." ~ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
It's easy to do the wrong thing. Only when we refuse evil impulses do we find how powerfully they tempt us.
But God is more powerful than evil, and He promises to provide a way out, a way of escape from every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
In addition, He gives us the strength of Christ to take that way of escape (Philippians 4:13). And Christ offers more than strength. He offers understanding and sympathy. He knows what we are facing.
“Because [Christ] himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted…For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15
Are you giving in to temptations in your life? Confess these to the Lord, ask His forgiveness, take His hand, and move forward in His strength.
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This full quote by C.S. Lewis offers some additional insights:
"No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it not by lying down. A man who gives into the temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it; and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation really means - the only complete realist."
Author: C.S. Lewis, Source: Mere Christianity, Macmillian 1952 version
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
ReplyDeleteI have never thought about bad people this way. Its right on though. On even my good days, my ole flesh wants to rise up, whether its a thought, a comment (which as I get older, it seems to get harder to keep words from flying out, lol) an attitude or even an action. I have been praying that God would give me something to share with my 15 yr old son, before his school year begins. I believe this will be a portion of what I share with him. Temptations come in so many ways, and satan will trip us up if we are not on guard. Have a great day!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, I just recently subscribed and let me tell you! I LOVE these one minute devos! thanks!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing this post was today!!
ReplyDeleteGail, thank you for your comment, and I'm so excited to find your blog! I love the short and sweet nuggets of wisdom, and I particularly needed this one, as I'm approaching a "line in the sand" decision about my weight. I'm looking forward to reading lots more!
ReplyDeleteAmen! That is all I can say.... Amen!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about it like this. Very thought-provoking. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteInspiring thoughts, Gail.
ReplyDeletenice job on this post, Gail! we have to avoid being tempted by Satan and turn to Jesus for comfort.
ReplyDeleteI have never read anything by C.S. Lewis although I have heard much about him. Based on the excerpt you provided, he sounds like he was a stinkin' genius. I am going to make it a point to search for some of his non-fiction books and/or writings at my library. I don't think that I would like his Narnia stuff only because I do not enjoy reading anything "fantastical" or "other-worldly", but boy, Lewis sure sounds like he had some amazing insights that most of us have somehow missed along the way. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteHis book Mere Christianity is life-changing! Especially if you are dealing with doubt, as I was when I read it. He definitely was a genius. He made it seem like nonsense to NOT believe! Wonderful book that I HIGHLY recommend!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Ms Gail for your devotions, they have truly helped me in more ways than you could know! 🥰