Temptation

[Cody]

Here is some thoughts I had about temptation. I pray that something I say will bless you and I pray that you may be able to apply this to your life.

Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." KJV

What I get from this verse is that we need to watch out for temptation. We need to pray against temptation, but also we need to understand that we don't need to be putting ourselves in temptation in the first place.

For example, say you have friends that drink or do drugs. If you hang out with them, you're putting yourself in temptation. I'm not saying to avoid them because we need to be a light to the lost, but I wouldn't hang around them a lot.

1 Corinthians 15:33
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." KJV

Don't even think you have enough power to win every fight the devil will throw at you. God has the power to defeat the devil, that is true, but how many times have you not listened to God? Lets be honest, our flesh gets in the way a lot. So to not go into temptation in the first place is the best thing we can do to keep from sinning.

Luke 11:4
"And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." KJV

Jesus forgives all of our sins as we need to forgive people that sin against us. If you're holding a grudge against someone, you need to humble yourself and forgive them. What if Jesus held grudges? I'm glad He don't. He's always willing to forgive us when we repent of our sins with a humble heart.

Notice in the second part of Luke 11:4 it says, Jesus does not lead us into temptation. Before you go do something with your friends or do anything, pray about it. Ask God, "Will this lead me into temptation, is it possible this will tempt me to sin?" Jesus doesn't want us to go into temptation. He came to deliver us from evil.

I believe if we started praying before we done something, we wouldn't sin as much as we do. Pretty short message, but I pray that it will help someone.

Watch and Pray, friends. God Bless

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I don't know about you, but temptations don't usually give me much advance warning. I'm well aware that they are always "circling the block",though, looking for opportunities (weak moments) to attack.

I often turn my will and my life over to the Lord several times a day because I feel some negative feeling invading my mind and I need help in dealing with it. Its a way of keeping my spiritual belt tightened.

SLE

 

[Chad]

Good post brother Cody. I'm in agreement with you brother Ed. The devil has won the #1 liar / deceiver award each year since the fall of man. He knows how to catch us off guard. This is why we should follow this particular Scripture each day

Ephesians 6:10-18

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

[Cody]

Amen, brother Chad. Good scripture.

God Bless

 

[Word of Life]

Thanks Cody. The one thing the devil hates is the word. The devil hates the light and so he will flee from us. The whole purpose is to walk away from darkness/sin/evilness and become more holy. I know it can be done through God's power. If we ask Him to help us each day He will, through our Lord Jesus.

Last night, I was having an anxiety attack, but I refused to listen to it, so I kept on repeating over and over this scripture, until I felt calm again:

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

God has healed me from these attacks, as I have been off medication now for more than 6 months.

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

So if I feel an attack coming on or any fear, I throw scriptures at the devil, just like Jesus did when the devil tempted him in wilderness:

Mat 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Mat 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Mat 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Mat 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

I must decrease and Christ must increase. It's hard sometimes, putting others first, as I was a selfish person, was too proud and I want to be control all the time. All I know is, I need to become more like Jesus and walk as he walked and deny self and become more like a servant and a child.

1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

So I must learn from my saviour and walk as he walked, Jesus prayed for his persecutors:

Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus healed his persecutors:

Luk 22:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
Luk 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

The one thing we have to remember, there could be certain things that may be placed in our lives for very good reasons. As with Paul, he had a thorn in the flesh, so could we.

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

[Richie]

Dear Brother Cody,

You have posted an excellent article brother. I was amazed especially by this:

>>>So to not go into temptation in the first place is the best thing we can do to keep from sinning.

To keep away from temptation is indeed a very nice way of keeping away from sin, but there are certain situations you can't avoid getting tempted. Even if we get tempted, I think the best way to overcome tempation is to call on the Lord, because we believe that He could come at any moment. When we get the fact into our mind, that the Lord could come at any moment, immediately we find the temptation growing dim because we have to be ready for Him to take us back, but this doesn't mean that if His coming is delayed we have to fall in sin. Ofcouse He will not delay it by any means, but what's important is that we should have the fear of the Lord.

Mattew 24:44
You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Mattew 25:13
So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.

I only just meant to extend the discussion a little bit.

God bless you.

Praise the Lord