How are you doing this morning, good and Blessed I hope? Is your work week going in a positive direction so far, I sure hope so?
Have a great Tuesday and rest of your week!
God Bless You and Yours.
#TelTheLordThankYouLord!!!
“Each one is tempted when . . enticed.” James 1:14 NKJV
Temptation is unavoidable; yielding to temptation is preventable.
My thoughts and comments today are about “Understanding Temptation.”
By Pastor Allen Randolph
Is there anyone who is not tempted to do what they know they should not? I think the answer to that would be obvious. Inclination, not ignorance of wrong, is usually our common dilemma. We are not all tempted by the same things, but we are all tempted. Things that are wrong seem so incredibly enticing, therefore difficult to resist. That’s what the Bible calls temptation. Temptation is a favorite tactic of the enemy of your soul to cause failure and then justly condemn you, dominating your thoughts with remorse and ruling your emotions with shame. Remorse and shame simply lead you deeper into your failure.
You are not a bad person when you feel tempted. Temptation is unavoidable; however, becoming a victim of temptation is preventable. James, the brother of Jesus, explained, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James 1:14-15 NKJV. My thoughts are captured by a phrase in that verse, “drawn away from . .” Remember, temptation draws you away from something God has for you, and pushes you toward things far less beneficial, even harmful. Too often, attention is given to the temptation that entices you, when a more profitable focus would be your Godly concern for what you would be drawn away from. Temptation lures you toward sin; sin separates you from God and others. Grace restores!
We should have learned from Eve’s ancient mistake; she was tempted when she believed the serpent’s lie that “. . the tree was good for food . . pleasant to the eyes . . desirable to make one wise. She took of its fruit!” Genesis 3:6 NKJV. John wrote that people are still struggling with the same areas of temptation, “Do not love the world . . for all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 John 2:15-16 NKJV. It seems too many of us too many times have not learned a thing. Temptation never results in your good.
Our common struggle is akin to Jesus’ own temptation in the wilderness. Jesus is your example and deliverer in times of temptation. Read Luke 4:1-14 NKJV. “Because Jesus Himself suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them [rush to the aid of a distressed cry for help] that are tempted . . understands our weaknesses, for He faced all the same temptation we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 2:18 KJV/4:15-16 NLT. At the first sign of temptation run quickly to Jesus, “to the throne of our gracious God.”
Here is the good news. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will make the way of escape.” Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is that you know what to do when tempted; tell Jesus.
K-Love’s Encouraging Words:
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance
~ Proverbs 1:5, NLT
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NLT)
~ Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying ~
~Long Live Real Cowboys~
Message Thread
« Back to index | View thread »