Jeremiah 20—21, 2 Timothy 4 Key Verse: 2 Timothy 4:18
“I couldn’t help myself” might be one of the most correct and incorrect statements ever spoken
when someone is trying to explain why he did something wrong. You might be thinking that those
words can’t be both correct and incorrect at the same time, but they are.
It is a correct statement when spoken by someone who realizes that he cannot in and of himself
resist temptation. It is incorrect when it is said to justify doing wrong, as if a person has no hope at
all of resisting.
The truth is that we alone cannot resist but must draw upon what God has promised. He has stated
clearly that by His help we can resist temptation. Paul understood this clearly when he wrote,
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly
kingdom” (4:18). He knew that God would not allow him to face temptation greater than he could
handle and that God would help him withstand it as well.
Does this sound familiar? Perhaps that last sentence brings to mind 1 Corinthians 10:13.: Read
that verse again. It will help reinforce the truth that we cannot help ourselves, and yet we can—
because God will deliver us.
The only question that remains is, will you allow God to work in your life, in every situation to
help you overcome temptation? It is not a matter of “I can’t” but of “I Won’t.” It is not that you
can’t resist; it is that you won’t let God deliver you.
You have a choice to make: either allow God to help you or not. Pray right now, asking God to
help you resist temptation today.
Woodrow kroll & Tony beckett
www.backtothebible.in