FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF

Leon FontaineDevoted

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

One of the most common reasons people distance themselves from God is personal failure.

We are taught that Christians have an advantage because Jesus lives inside us, but we still struggle with temptation. If we fail to meet the standard we’ve set for ourselves, we sometimes allow that failure to define us.

As a Christian, this should not be the case. When you gave your life to Jesus, He made you entirely new. If you make poor choices—either before or after beginning a relationship with Jesus—these choices do not define you. You are defined through Jesus.

God wants you to feel good about yourself. This statement directly contradicts much of the religious teaching out there, which really focuses on negative motivation. Many have heard that they are going to burn in hell if they don’t follow God’s commandments, so they feel hopeless whenever they mess up. However, negative motivation alone never lasts.

You need to know that you were made brand new in Christ when you gave your life to Him. You have the nature of God; that is your identity. That being said, you will still have to withstand temptation, but you’re more than capable in Christ.

God won’t make your choices for you, but He empowers you to make good ones! Spending time worshipping and meditating on God’s Word builds you up to make good choices. And remember… you’re a child of God! You have His power and ability to build an incredible life.