Inspired by... love

Inspired by... love

 

 1Cor 16:13-14

 

Pastor talked about temptation this week. He called it the "elephant in the room." You know, we all know it's there, we all struggle with it, but no one talks about it.

I'm not suggesting we need to talk about the "details" of it. But I think it is beneficial for us to look at how temptation works and how to overcome it. Pastor's sermon was complete, convicting and inspiring. I'd like to share with you a few key things I walked away with...

Our focus text was James 1:13-15:

"No one when tempted should say, 'I am being tempted by God';

for God cannot be tempted by evil and does not Himself tempt anyone.

Temptation comes when anyone is lured and dragged away by his own

desires; then desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and sin when

it is full-grown breeds death."

 

We are tempted in three areas, just as Jesus was (see Luke 4:1-13), in body, soul and spirit. Nothing much has changed since Eve "took and ate" in Genesis 3. Satan hasn't needed to change his tactics, because they still work. It all starts with (1)desire. For Eve it was "pleasing to the eye" and "good for wisdom." Then (2)doubt, "did God really say?" Once we begin to doubt God, we are easily (3)deceived and we sin. We (4)disobey God.

One thing my Pastor said which I think is key; Satan wants us to feel defeated way back at #1. Up until #4 no sin has been committed, but if we allow ourselves to be defeated at #1, we give up and jump to #4 in the blink of an eye. Remember, 1Peter 5:8: "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

 

But, greater is He who is in us than he who is the in the world.

Amen?

 

We CAN overcome temptation. How? James 4:7-8 tells us. "Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will run from you."

Many times I've noticed that people leave out that first part when quoting this scripture. It.is.key to being able to resist the devil. The battlefield is our mind. We need to recognize what tempts us, filter it through scripture and settle our thoughts. Stay full of the Truth and you won't hunger for the carnal delights the world offers.

 

We will fail...

...at times.

 

When we do, let's decide now not to "hide" from God like Adam and Eve did in the garden. Remember the story of the prodigal son? (Luke 15) In verse 20, who is running?

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

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