Middot U'Mitzvot: Character Qualities and Commandments
Trusting G-d Despite Temptation


G-d's Torah is the best source of instruction
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Trusting God Despite Temptation - Tested By Temptation

“No temptation has seized you beyond what people normal experience, and God can be trusted not to allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. On the contrary, along with the temptation he will also provide the way out, so that you will be able to endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

What does it mean to be tempted? Well, to be tempted means to be enticed or drawn or attracted towards something that is not of God. It means that we must make a decision – either to obey God or to give in to our fleshly desires. The enemy of our souls uses temptation to try to get us to disobey God and to distance us from Him. Temptation has many faces and it is different for each one of us. What tempts you may not tempt me at all and vice versa. And, there is no escaping temptation – it is a part of this life and it tests our walk of faith with God. But, every time we refuse to give in to temptation and choose God’s way over our own, we get a little stronger in our walk of faith – just like our muscles get bigger each time we lift weights. And, even though, we must face temptation in this life, we can be confident and rest assured that God will always see us through. He never leaves us alone and He never allows us to deal with more than we are able – He will not make us lift one hundred pounds when we are only able to lift fifty. So, when temptation knocks on your door (and it will), look to God and He will show you the way out.

Trust In and Yield to God - No Hardened Hearts

“Today, if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the Bitter Quarrel.” Hebrews 3:15 / Psalm 95:7-8

Stubborn…headstrong…hard-nosed…difficult…stiff-necked…obstinate…pig-headed…. Have you ever dug your heels in, refusing to budge and do something you’ve been told to do? If so, then these words could be used to describe you. God is looking for people who are teachable – who will hear His voice, listen to it, and obey. Sometimes it can be a difficult thing to let go of what we want in order to do God’s will, especially if His will involves something that doesn’t seem very interesting or fun. But, God knows what is best for us, even when we can’t see it. Even when we don’t understand how or why, we must not harden our hearts towards God. In fact, it is when we do yield to God’s will in those times of uncertainty that we are really demonstrating our faith and our trust in Him. And those are the kinds of people who God is looking for to serve Him. God is looking for someone who will trust Him and obey Him – no matter what. Are you that someone?

Obey Those In Charge - Respect Authority

“Everyone is to obey the governing authorities. For there is no authority that is not from God, and the existing authorities have been placed where they are by God.” Romans 13:1

As we have seen in today’s lesson, showing respect to those whom God has placed in positions of authority over us is very important to Him. He did not show much patience to those who rose up and rebelled against those who were in charge, did He? To respect someone means to honor, to heed, and to obey them. We all need to have someone guide us and give us direction in this life. Parents, teachers, police officers, and other government officials all have certain levels of authority over our lives. And, although as you grow older, you will have less and less adults laying down rules and setting up boundaries for you to follow, you will never be completely on your own. We need others to help hold us accountable, because in the end, we will all be held accountable to God. The people who are in charge – even if you don’t like them or agree with them – are in charge because God has allowed them to be in charge. And, because God has placed them in a position of authority, it is our duty to respect and obey them.

Following the Shepherd - Hearing God's Voice

“He calls His own sheep, each one by name, and leads them out. ...He goes on ahead of them; and the sheep follow Him because they recognize His voice.” John 10:3-4

There are a lot of different voices in the world today – voices which try to influence who we are, what we do, and how we believe. Television, radio, movies, books, art, politics, trends, fads, and fashion are all trying to grab our attention and win our approval and our allegiance. But, there is only one, true voice worth listening to. That’s the voice of the One who created you – the voice of the One who lived and died for you – the voice of the One who knows you and who calls you by your name. Our God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He is a leader and He loves you more than He loved Himself. He proved this when He died for you. We all have to follow someone or something in this life. We all must choose who we will listen to and what we will order our steps and our lives in accordance to. So, who will you follow? And, whose voice will you choose to listen to?

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