We as human beings get various temptations. Temptations have become a part of life and we struggle to overcome it. Such is the urge to do anything when being tempted that we do not even ponder on the consequences. When we want to be fit, we get tempted to eat more junk food. When we want to work sincerely, we get tempted to vile away the time simply. When we are trying to save money, we get tempted to spend more. When we try to be holy, we get tempted to sin. And the list goes on. (Reference verse on temptation-James 1:13-16)

Esau from the bible was the first born of Isaac and he had acquired this birthright in the order of his birth as he was the eldest son. A birthright gives a person the position and inheritance from his father’s lineage and also they inherit the leadership authority of their father. How wonderful is this! Am sure Esau knew this before he sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew(Genesis 25:29-34). Esau was tired and hungry. He badly wanted something to eat and that’s when he saw his brother cooking stew. Hence he approached his brother for it and the cunning brother asked him to sell his birthright. Now Esau is tempted with hunger that he did not think of the greatest blessing which he is going to acquire later. A momentary satisfaction was all in his mind. He wanted a bowl of stew to fill his stomach in present rather than a bucket of blessings in future. He did not ponder on the significance of that blessing. He did not stop to think of the consequence. He sold his birthright just like that because he was unable to withstand the temptation to eat. And that was gone! Now his brother Jacob acquired it. The last verse of that incident says that Esau despised his birthright which means he lightly regarded it. From Hebrews 12:17 we read the consequence of Esau’s actions as, “Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

We are like Esau too. For the sake of momentary pleasures, we give in to temptation and lose the eternal blessings. The hunger for the present pleasures clouds our minds to forego the pleasures which God wants to give in future. If you ponder on this, the holy spirit will make you understand that momentary pleasures which we get from present temptations are nothing and that the pleasures which God can give are much more beautiful and can fill us with everlasting joy.

How do we then overcome temptations? First thing is to pray about it and present your temptations to God. Next is to fight it when it happens. Joseph ran away when he was tempted to sexually sin. Pray about it (Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one”). Jesus overcame temptation by speaking the word of God authoritatively. Memorize scriptures and say it loudly when tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that God will provide a way out to endure temptation. Do not worry my dear brothers and sisters,We are not alone in this, God is there to help us overcome if we surrender the temptation to him.

Hence my dear folks, “Run away from momentary temptations which can take away your eternal pleasures”.Do not give up on what you want later for what you want now. We are assured of blessings if we stand strong against temptation. James 1:12,God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Amen! God Bless You!