February 14, 2010

Temptation: February 9, 2010

February 9. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2010

TEMPTATION

DEFINITION:

An act or effect of tempting; an inducement; usually an enticement to sin or do the wrong thing.

SCRIPTURE:

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

It is so easy today to succumb to temptation. All around us, literally every minute there are temptations that come our way. The good temptations are that you are tempted to pray because some need comes to your attention. Or you may be tempted to talk to someone about Jesus. But most of us think of the word temptation as a negative thing. And for the most part, temptation is evil and of the devil.

Some years ago a comedian in his skits, used the phrase, “the devil made me do it?” The way he was able to communicate this phrase made it funny but we knew that it was not factual. The devil cannot make us do anything. He can tempt us but we are the ones that make the choice whether to yield to the temptation or to resist it.

We could share with you hundreds of illustrations in our lives where we have been tempted. The time in high school when we were tempted to go out with another crowd --- a crowd that we knew was interested in things that were not what God would have us participate in. The times we were tempted to take advantage of someone or something to make what we were doing easier or more successful.

The times we were tempted to ease up on the discipline we had in line for our children because we were totally frustrated. The times that we were being tempted to reconsider our calling into the ministry when the going got tough and difficulties caused discouragement.

It is evident to us that Satan seizes every opportunity to tempt us. Paul warns in II Corinthians 2:11 that Satan likes to try to outwit us, taking advantage of us in our weakness. He is subtle and we are unaware of his schemes.

Satan tempts everyone. In Luke 22:31-32 Jesus tells Simon Peter that Satan “had asked to sift you as wheat but I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail.” Yes, Satan tempted the disciples.

Even Jesus was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4: 1-11) and Jesus gave us in His words all the ammunition we need when Satan tempts us. He said in verse 7, “It is also written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” And in verse 10, He says, “Away with you Satan, for it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve.”

Satan tried to tempt Jesus three times and all three times Jesus responded with scripture saying, “It is written.” In resisting Satan and his temptations there is no better weapon than the Word of God. That is why it is so important for believers to arm themselves with the Word of God by reading the Bible daily. Satan cannot argue against God’s Word.

James teaches us in James 1:13-14 that God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone. Then James reminds us by saying that one is tempted when he is drawn away from God by his own desires and enticed. That says it all. We choose to do what we want to do. If you want to avoid the evil temptation of Satan in your life, draw near to God and determine to serve Him only. James tells us in James 4: 7-8, that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us and when we resist the devil he will flee from us.

God tests people but He never tempts us to sin. We learned, for example, when we read the book of Job that sometimes God tests us and allows Satan to tempt us but he does this to strengthen our faith and to further the testimony of His power and greatness through us. He wants us to be strong in Him and be equipped to stand against all evil. And when God feels we need further training to be stronger or to further his will through our testimony of our faith in Him, we will be tested.

As Christians we have been given by our Lord armor to fight off all the temptations that may come our way. In Ephesians 6: 10-17 Paul tells us of the armor that God has given us. He closes in verse 16 by saying that “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” God has given us the weapons we need to fight off the wiles of the devil.

In times of temptation and testing one of our favorite verses in the Bible is found in I Corinthians 10:13. Here it is for you today as we close out these devotional thoughts:

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

PRAYER:

Thank You for providing for me armor that allows me to fight all temptation that comes my way from the evil one. Thank You for being so faithful by not allowing me to be tempted above what I am able to take if I stay true to You. Make me an example today to my family, friends and neighbors.

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