Craig Groeschel is minister for the Life Church and his video “I can’t stop” has been an eye opener. I don’t agree with everything he says, but this and other videos are very helpful in life’s struggles.
Three main points are mentioned by Craig which need attention (in my opinion) by so many… including me. Some of these things are already known by many. See what you think…

1. It’s not a sin to be tempted. What comes to mind is that temptation, which is not a sin, is instead a TEST! How do teachers test a student? EXAMS! (Not like today where so many teachers are lowering expectations.) EXAMS should show where weaknesses are and focus is needed. EXAMS should cause students to ‘flex their learning muscles.”
How do you TEST a newly built or repaired bridge? PUT WEIGHT ON IT. Examine carefully the process as it is built or repaired. Make sure certain standards are met. You don’t lower the standards.
When I was working at Timco (Aircraft repair station in Lake City, Fla.) they bring in planes that need to go through CHECKS. Standards are tough which is good. They have a step by step manual for all repairs to be made. Cutting corners is obviously dangerous (even though mechanics who are careless or think they know it all cut corners.) You TEST the repairs, and QC (Quality Control) comes and certifies the work. Has the manual been followed?
Temptations are a TEST. “God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested… (Jms. 1:12 CEV)
In James 1:13-15 “Don’t blame God when you are tempted! God cannot be tempted by evil, and He doesn’t use evil to tempt others. We are tempted by OUR OWN DESIRES, that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin , and when it (sin) is finished with us, it leaves us dead.” (CEV)
Jesus was lead by the Spirit (after His baptism) into the wilderness to be tempted (TESTED). Forty days and nights He fasted, after this HE WAS HUNGRY (duh)!
Satan said, “Ok, if you are who you think you are, then turn these rocks into bread!” (Exum paraphrase of Matt. 4:3) It’s like us when we are really hungry we are not interested in doing a lot of cooking! We want something FAST! WE WANT IT NOW! Go BURGER KING!!! Here we are as Jesus, under attack when VULNERABLE! You think you are strong?! Be careful (I Cor. 10:12). This is when we can fall. Peter doesn’t call Satan a “roaring lion” that seeks to eat you FOR NOTHING!
We have to WAKE UP to these things so we are NOT SURPRISED by Satan.
Craig makes this helpful point… “SHUT THE DOOR SATAN COMES THROUGH!” “LOCK IT!” To do this, we must recognize, decide before-hand how to deal with these temptations. Things that “so easily beset us.” Re-focus. Lock on to Jesus.
Question: IS YOUR THOUGHT “I CAN’T STOP?” or “I WON’T STOP!”

More coming…
Grow in grace.