Standing Strong in the Face of Temptations
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Temptations usually come as something appealing – lol. Otherwise it wouldn’t be tempting I guess. Satan temps us with our desires that dwell within us. Jesus’ brother James put it this way in his Epistle.
James 1:14-15 – 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
What temps you? Where are you weakest? Where has Satan been able to get a foothold in your life in the past? We’re told to not allow him even a foothold.
Ephesians 4:27 – and do not give the devil a foothold.
We need to stand strong in our faith – standing strong in the face of temptations. Something that might help is spending time praying for God’s strength in the areas we are weak. Searching the Bible for support can also help. We also need to surround ourselves with people who can encourage us and uplift us.
Hebrews 10:25 – Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
How can you be encouraged? How can you encourage others?
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Being Dead to Sin – Is This an Eternal or Temporal State?
Romans 6:11
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
At times I sure wish this passage were a one and done deal. I wish I could count myself dead to sin once – and always be alive in Christ and never struggle with sin again. I am not talking about my salvation folks – this is not a discussion of once saved always saved or falling from grace. It is a discussion about the ongoing process called Sanctification being made holy. Being done with sin – not on the eternal stage – but on the temporal right now stage of life. Is this only a hope for eternity or is there a place in this life where our sin nature is completely destroyed?
Just before this verse – Paul is writing about grace – and how grace covers our sins (I’m so thankful for grace). He writes about grace being BIG enough to cover all of our sins – but that we shouldn’t go out and sin all we can to let grace show off (paraphrase). Here is the actual:
Romans 5:20b-6:2 – 5:20b But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
I understand that Christ died once to pay for sin – past – present – future. I understand that His death paid for my sins – and the sins of the world – for those who would accept Him. I just get caught up in day-to-day living! Am I alone? The sin nature – defeated on the cross – still raises it head from time to time – at times too often for sure (even once is too often). I am caught somewhere between these two passages of Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Romans 7:19 – For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing.
Am I alone – or do other Christians experience day-to-day struggles with sin? Or even moment-to-moment?
I know I have victory in Christ. I know I do not have to sin. I know God will not allow me to be tempted beyond the place where He can give me a way out.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Yet – like Paul – the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Not always – but once is too often!
Lord – my prayer for myself – and for any others who struggle with sin in their lives – is that more and more we would grow into the grace You have given us. I pray that we will be a brighter light with each passing day – as You give us victory over the temptations of life. Looking forward to the eternal blessing while living in it even now!
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
Temptation Leads to Sin which Leads to Death
James 1:13-15
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Today we will conclude our study of James 1:13-15 by covering then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
I like the way James puts it – then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. It is not a sin to be tempted – we will all be tempted. It is a sin when we allow temptations to dwell in us – to be nurtured in us – so that sin is conceived. We give birth to sin when we harbor temptations within us.
We have all heard or read this passage many times I bet – Romans 6:23a – For the wages of sin is death. We earn death when we sin. That smacks me hard – because I have been working since I very young – cutting grass – officiating sports – working as a Soda Jerk (no puns) – etc. – earning a wage. Apparently – I have been working since before I can remember – to earn death! I was born with a sin nature and that nature has been working overtime – and the wage for my sin – is death. To read it as James puts it – sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
I don’t want to leave us here – with sin and death – so I have to give us some Good News. Let’s go back to Romans 6:23 and read the whole verse. Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank you Jesus – for paying my debt of sin – the wage I earned. Your death on the cross has paid my debt in full!
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
Monday we will begin to look at 1 Corinthians 1:25 – For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
We Are Tempted By Our Own Evil Desires
James 1:13-15
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Today we will continue to look at the above passage zeroing in on but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
We’ve already read that our righteousness is like filthy rages. Isaiah 64:6 – All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
I remember a comedian from my youth – Flip Wilson – who had a character (Geraldine) who had a line that she repeated often – The Devil made me do it! The good news today is that the devil can’t make us doing anything. The bad news is that it is our own evil desires that cause us to yield to temptations and fall to sin.
Remember – God has promised us a way out of every temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Remember – God has not only promised we can avoid sin – God has given us protection – the armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-18 – 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
I know these are repeat Scriptures – but they need to be driven home. We do not need to sin – we are not forced to sin – we sin because we put something before God in our lives.
We are called to love Jesus more than anything – Mark 12:30 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
Tomorrow we will finish the study of James 1:13-15 by looking at Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
God Cannot Be Tempted by Evil
James 1:13-15
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Today we will continue to look at the above passage zeroing in on for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
We typed a little Monday about all of us being tempted. Yesterday we typed about God not tempting us – while God is all about protecting us from temptation (Ephesians 6:10-18 – the Armor of God). Today as we move forward we will type a little about God not being tempted by evil and again about God not tempting anyone.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
The first part I want to highlight in this passage is that God is faithful. God is good – God is trustworthy – God is good to God’s word. God cannot be good and fall to temptation. I am using good in the Biblical sense here – perfect.
Luke 18:19 – “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone.
Isaiah 64:6 – All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
God is good and so God cannot be tempted – but we can be tempted. So God provides not only the armor of God to protect us – but God provides a way out of any temptation – he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
I love this promise from God. I don’t always avail myself of this promise – but I love it. A good and faithful God has promised to protect me from temptation and has promised to give me a way out of any tempting situation.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
Tomorrow we will continue the study of James 1:13-15 by looking at but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
When Tempted!
James 1:13-15
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Today we will begin to dissect James 1:13-15. We will begin with the first words of this passage – when tempted.
What temps you? Now there is a question that could keep us talking all day and into tomorrow. But what is it that temps you? Really?
Temptation is understood as the enticement of a person to commit sin by offering some seeming advantage. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary
James writes when tempted not if tempted. We will be tempted to desire something that we should not have – to do something we should not do – to say or think something we should not say or think. But God doesn’t leave us with this truth – God gives us ways beyond the temptations so stay tuned this week as we search the Word for help when tempted.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
Tomorrow we will continue the study of James 1:13-15 by looking at no one should say, “God is tempting me.”
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