Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City, set him on the highest point of the Temple, and said to him, If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down, for the scripture says, ‘God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their hands, so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’" Jesus answered, "But the scripture also says, ‘Do not put the LORD your God to the test.’" Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. "All this I will give you," the Devil said, "if you kneel down and worship me." Then Jesus answered, "Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the LORD your God and serve only him!’"

Matthew 4:5-10

Every test that you have ever experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

1 Corinthians 10:13

We save ourselves a lot of trouble by not yielding to the temptation to let anger control us. Likewise, we protect ourselves when we "yield not." Yielding not to the temptation to lie protects us from a loss of respect and further misrepresentations. Yielding not to the temptation of greed helps us avoid a gnawing dissatisfaction. But must important, when we "yield not" to temptation, we please God. With each temptation God provides an "escape." To escape temptation, flee to God.

Our Daily Bread – August 4, 2001