Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. NKJV"
Today, I tend to think too much about how to avoid temptation, so I do not fall into Satan's traps. In my younger days, I did not think about needing to fight temptation. Being tempted by other kids was a real thing. At that time, I did not see anything wrong with trying to hang and do what other kids did, within reason of course. It was never too bad or extreme, but Satan can take what we think is insignificant to trick us and trap us. I remember, as a teenager, saying, "Forget it; I'm going to have me some fun." Those were the words I told myself to explain giving in to temptation.
I was that teenage girl who occasionally defied my parents and did some of the things I wanted to do. My parents specifically told me not to do certain things or go certain places, and did. I was that young lady in college with the taste of freedom who did what I wanted to because I was away from my parents and thought I could. I was a clueless young lady who did not fully understand what it meant to be a wife and later a mother. I wanted everything my way, but I learned that it takes compromise when two people become one. Sometimes I can still be like her- that young wife. Yet, I am thankful, as I grow inwardly daily.
I have had many weaknesses at different phases of my life. The saying goes, when you know better you do better. I knew better and still did things my way. Sometimes I still do what I want to do instead of what I should do. I believe God understands where I am in my growth and He knows my heart.
Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a friend at work about how we are not unrelatable in our emotions and temptations. We were basically saying what Hebrews 4:15 says. Sometimes when I mess up, I am harder on myself than I should be. Satan can tempt you and then beat you up about it, if you let him. I must remember that the High Priest understands me and sympathizes with me when I am tempted to lie, or tempted to tell that mean cashier the ugly truth about what I really think about her attitude. I am growing!
Sometimes I sin when I am tempted, but Jesus (the High Priest) when tempted, did not sin. The good thing is He knows my weaknesses. We talked about Christ being an example for us and He demonstrates how we are to handle temptation; it is written in his Word. We can choose not to do what we are tempted to do. It is a decision. Christ was tempted in every way that we are and He experienced every emotion we have. He understand us completely- certainly better than we understand ourselves. He is the Creator; we are the created.
Temptation comes in all forms and on every level of our life; it can show up on every side. The good news is we really can walk away from it and do the right thing like our High Priest, and we can feel good about our decision.
