Give yourself room for manoeuvre

Driving Lessons' - Drawing on her experience as a learner driver, CATHERINE WYLES looks at the basic theory and practicals of being a Christian

AFTER a few lessons on public roads I was successfully driving in a straight line. But then came the tricky bit - manoeuvring.

Jokes about women and parking are true in my case. I cannot reverse park, and I would rather walk a mile than park between two stationary vehicles. There are bumpers, wing mirrors and kerbs that look all too easy to hit. Manoeuvring is not my strong point.

When we become Christians, we can have some manoeuvring to do because temptations can get in our way.

Even Jesus had to do some manoeuvring away from temptations.

To help himself spiritually, he had been fasting for 40 days. He was hungry, and Satan tempted him with some food: ‘If you are God's Son, tell this stone to turn into bread' (Luke 4:3 Contemporary English Version).

Jesus was preparing himself for a life of ministry and serving others, but Satan offered him an easier path, promising him wealth and power if Jesus would ‘just worship' him (see 4:5-7).

Jesus was seeking to be obedient to his calling, but Satan tempted him to abuse his relationship with God by testing it out (see 4:9-12).

Jesus resisted every temptation.

Satan knows where our weaknesses lie. Often they are the parts of our life where we feel strongest.

For example, we may have a talent - for instance, in music or at a sport or craft - but rather than thanking God for the gifts he has given us, we praise ourselves. Or we may be good-looking and charming, but we use people for our own enjoyment. Or it may be that people trust us, but we abuse that trust and get away with things because no one suspects us.

Temptation is a reality. We need to be aware of the pitfalls and pray for help.

But there is great news. The Bible says: ‘You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations' (1 Corinthians 10:13).

What an amazing promise! God gives us the strength to say ‘No' and to manoeuvre away from things that might stall our spiritual journey with him.

War Cry 20 February 2010 - TSA UK