It’s not easy. And when it hits home, requiring you to act on your stand… rarely simple. It’s so easy to be for or against (fill in the blank) when it’s at a distance and really doesn’t require any ‘discomfort’ in your life. But once that stand makes you Do something. Very different.
Being bold, courageous, taking a stand isn’t always in a physical battle. Most of the important battles are between was is right and what isn’t and are fought in the soul (mind, will, emotions). And right is not in a unknown status – the majority of the issues are clear and irrefutable. But they can be very, very uncomfortable …especially to our personal ‘likes’. Regardless of what anyone says, we do like our comfort zones and personal likes.
However… it is in the everyday issues, challenges, successes, mistakes, etc. that do prove to us and anyone looking what we actually do and who we are. Anyone who doesn’t believe that they live in some kind of fishbowl is very deluded. This isn’t necessarily a negative, though it can be. But where and when does the discomfort originate? And why? Does this discomfort come from being put in the position of ‘putting our money where our mouth is’ situations? Yes, sometimes… but not always. But why veer from who you are or what you do? Who are you placing in such a position of control?
It’s important to distinguish between a temptation and a test. Both can start out looking the same, but they aren’t. Remember God never tempts us but He will test us.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’ (for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws), for God cannot be tempted by (what is) evil, and He Himself tempts no one.” (James 1:13, AMP)
If you are tempted – resist, because it is not of God. He has provided everything we need to resist, to Stand.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
(1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted (knowing exactly how it feels to be human) in every respect as we are, yet without (committing any) sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, AMP)
You can take a stand. You can be strong. You can witness to the power of the Lord you believe in. Also… remember the scripture that talks about resisting the devil? James 4:7 says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The word I want you to focus on is ‘flee’. The devil doesn’t just saunter away when you don’t accept and follow his temptation… he FLEES.
