The comedian Flip Wilson became famous for his line,”The Devil made me do it!” We still often see the image of the Devil standing on one shoulder and an angel standing on the other shoulder of a person. The Devil is trying to get the person to surrender to some temptation, while the angel is suggesting that the person do good. Whether you believe in this imagery or not, we all are aware that we face temptation to do wrong every day.
In Luke 22:46 Jesus instructs His disciples by saying, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Immediately after these words are spoken, all the disciples gave into the temptation of fear and abandoned Jesus. In order to stand strong against the enticements of wrong, we must be alert to identify their allures. But even more importantly, we must ask God for strength to stand strong and courageously do the right thing.
Reluctant Retiree 