Daily Bread_April 8, 2013

Title: How to Deal with Temptation

Text:

James 1:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Observation:

It is important to make the distinction between temptation and testing. All of us are exposed to temptations; however, there is always a way out. Additionally, temptations are not from God, and are not for our good.

Conversely, God uses testing to make us better. God is the author of testing; the devil is the orchestrator of temptation; they make us worse.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The bible gives a clear path to overcome temptations. We can be encouraged by these words from the Apostle Paul.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV)
¹² Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
¹³ 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.

God has provided for His children the resources that we need for spiritual warfare that we will encounter living in a fallen world. Included in that armor is the word of God, and it is the only offensive weapon. Jesus used the word of God when He was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. This is how Jesus responded when tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:4 (ESV)
⁴ But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

We should use the word of God to resist temptation; it worked for Jesus, and it will work for you and me. Prepare for the day of temptation like this.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, instill within our hearts the value of knowing the word of God, and obeying the word of God.

Father God, help us to be able to draw from the word of God that has been stored up in our hearts to help us to overcome the bait of temptations. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/