Where temptation lives

Temptation lives in a certain location in your life. Where does temptation live for you? Do you visit there often - or even live with it? I'm asking this question because I went to where temptation lives in my life yesterday. I did not have the best eating day. My husband Mike and I had some business to take care of at the mall. Lots of food temptations at the mall. I had already decided that I wanted to have lunch at the food court. I had also planned to go to my favorite place in which they prepare your stir-fry on the griddle in front of you. So my plan was to have chicken teriyaki with double vegetables. But things did not go as I planned. The first source of temptation was a young lady selling popcorn at a kiosk. She was giving samples of super cheesy popcorn and caramel corn. She told us that she was just starting her business and would we please support her? Of course, I wanted to support a young lady in her business (I told myself), so I bought a bag of her super cheesy popcorn. Then, after we took care of our business we went to the food court. But instead of going to the stir fry place, Mike wanted to go to an Italian eatery. He chose to get the Stromboli, which came with a side of baked Ziti. Of course, I wanted to save money (I told myself), so I decided to eat Mike's side of baked Ziti. Now was there anything inherently wrong with those 2 things? Not at all. However, I did have to lighten up my eating for the rest of the day so that I could still stay on track, which made things harder for me when evening came. As tasty as that food was, both of those choices packed a big calorie load in a small volume. Because it made my evening more challenging food-wise, it wasn't worth it to me. That is why I am glad that I do not live at the mall! Temptation does not live at my house, which is where I spend most of my time. We go to the mall about 2 or 3 times a year. The next time I go, I will eat an apple beforehand so that I'm less tempted by food samples, plus make it more likely that I'll stick with the plan I had. 1 Corinthians 10:13 gives us a great promise about temptation:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it

I learned my lesson from yesterday and am moving on. I am not beating myself up about it because this story is just another day in my life. What about you? Where does temptation live in your life?

• At your house
• At your job
• At your church
• Visiting family
• At the mall

Once you identify where temptation lives for you, the next step is to ask yourself: "Do I have the power to change the environment?" If temptation lives at your house, then you've got a huge problem because that where you live! Granted, we all have to eat to survive, but what you choose to eat is up to you most of the time. The easiest way to deal with temptation is to change your environment to lessen your exposure. What if someone else is making poor food selections for you? Then you have power to talk with them about the issue. They may be willing to change the environment so that you aren't as tempted. If you do not have the power to change the environment, then you do have power to change your response to the environment. While that is more challenging than simply changing the environment, it can be done. It may take time until you find an approach that works for you but it can be done. As you saw in the scripture, the Lord promises to make a way to escape temptation. Ask for His wisdom and He will show you the way to win over temptation. Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness, Kimberly Taylor Author/Christian Life Coach of the Take Back Your Temple program P.S. When it comes to knowing the enemy's devices against us, Christians can't afford ignorance. Many times, he traps Christians in engaging in destructive behavior like overeating, which can lead to excess weight. Click here to learn about the Take Back Your Temple program. If you have negative thoughts and habits that are keeping you in bondage, you must know how to overcome them to reach your best weight and fulfill your God-given purpose: Click here to learn about the Take Back Your Temple program.