Take heed of Jesus' warning to His disciples to avoid the pitfalls of temptation: Billy Graham column for Saturday, April 23, 2016

Q: I've always been faithful to my wife, but I'm thinking about taking a job that will involve lots of travel, and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to resist the temptation to cheat on her.

Please pray for me, because I know how weak I am.

-- J.M.

A: Why risk your marriage and your happiness by deliberately putting yourself into situations that you know might overwhelm you?

Jesus' warning to His disciples could be applied to you: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38).

Sometimes it's helpful to ask not only what God's will is for us in a specific situation (such as a change in job), but also what the devil's will might be. And from what you say, I have little doubt what the devil probably wants you to do: he wants you to take this job. He knows your weaknesses far better than you do, and he'll do everything he can to exploit those weaknesses and make you fall. The Bible warns, "Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed" (James 1:14).

In other words, seek God's will concerning your future -- and then follow it. But above all, yield yourself to Jesus Christ and ask Him to help you flee from temptation, no matter when or where it occurs. The Bible says, "God is faithful. ... When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

In addition, ask God to help you be the kind of husband He wants you to be, and to build your marriage on Christ. God loves you and your family, and the closer you are to Christ, the closer you'll be to each other.

Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or go to billygraham.org.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Take heed of Jesus' warning to His disciples to avoid the pitfalls of temptation: Billy Graham column for Saturday, April 23, 2016 ."