By Rev. Daniel Forster
“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.” (James 1:12, NLT)
read James 1:12-18.
It does not matter if you are a new believer or a long time believer in Jesus, we all face temptations every day. Temptations lead us to the same dark path of sin. Our flesh and our mind will lie to us and tell us a little indulgence of a temptation here and there is ok. In fact, we usually convince ourselves it is for the better of our overall health. Other times we find ourselves facing large temptations, and we ask, “Why is God tempting me? Why would He allow me to be tempted?”
James points out a very important piece of wisdom here that temptations come from our own desires. It is through God that we are able to identify these temptations. It is by us leaning on our everlasting Lord, that we can identify these lies and deceits of our sinful selves and find the strength we seek in Him.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)
We find in our temptations, either the path of darkness (a slow fade or fall) or we find our anchor amongst the waves and winds of the world. Our anchor is Jesus Christ. Find Him, seek Him, when you feel the temptation coming on, do not rely on your strength or your will power. It is in Him we find our peace and rest from the snares of this world. It is in Him we find strength and confidence like we never had before.
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4, ESV)
Our lives are busy and full of to many things to do, with never enough time. Take a moment in your life, make a moment in your life, to allow His word to strengthen you and encourage you. Seek His word, seek to store it deep in your heart and soul. Seek His word for the endurance and encouragement you need, it is your anchor, it is your life line.
Lord let us say the prayer today as you taught us in your Word (Matthew 6:9-13, ESV): “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’ Amen
Question: What do you do when you face temptation?
You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/09/08/df_temptation-in-your-life/
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