Temptation

Temptations, something everyone struggles with every day. The world itself struggles with temptations but they have no way to escape the temptations unless they put their trust in Jesus Christ.

Even though we as Christians struggle with temptations, God has given us a way out.

The more we grow in Christ, the more we should be able to recognize temptations and when there is a temptation, immediately run to God for through Him is the only way of escape.

James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

God does not lure us into sinful temptation. We can clearly see with this verse that we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own lust and enticed. We know what our triggers are and we need to stay away from those things that may trigger us. When they pop up, we need to run from them. Job eschewed evil which means that he tucked tail and ran when he saw evil.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

The closer we walk with God the less our desires will be for those temptations that come. You see, whatever we feed the most is what wins out. My question is, are you feeding the flesh? Listen to what the Bible says.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

There are only two sides of this coin. If you are walking in the Spirit then you are not fulfilling the lust of the flesh, but if you are fulfilling the lust of the flesh then you are not walking in the Spirit.

I love to stand on the promises of the Word of God. Listen to this.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God gives us a way out, and it is only through him. Therefore, we must revert to James 4:8 and we must draw nigh to God.

If you’re struggling today, go to God. 

Go to God through: 

• His Word (the Bible).  2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
• In prayer.  Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
• In fellowship. 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 

He has promised never to leave us nor for sake us and the good thing is that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Stay tuned for next weeks, “Monday’s blog”.