Temptations

No not the singing group! ~smile~ This morning in the email study I send out we are reading Matthew chapter 4 and that got me thinking about temptation. Here are some thoughts that were running through my mind and some scriptures I found....

We all face temptations and some are really really hard to deal with and resist. God however knows this. These verses are speaking about Jesus.

Hebrews 2:18
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Isn't that amazing news....Jesus understands and is able to help us! Some I know think if they are tempted that they should be ashamed and try to hide it but you cannot hide from God. He sympathizes with our weakness, He is able to help us!

How can we get that help? These verses explain that we should pray and ask for help. Lay it out. Be honest. He knows all about everything anyway.

Matthew 6:13
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Resisting temptations and growing stronger moves us further down the narrow path, toward God. Trials and temptations are no fun but can be necessary for Christian growth. The good news is the Bible tells us God is in control and won't allow to be tempted beyond what we an bear.

James 1:12
[ Loving God Under Trials ] 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.
1 Corinthians 10:13
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 with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

We need to know where these temptations are coming from. God allows it and won't let us be tempted beyond what we can bear but they do not come from Him.

James 1:13-15
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.


What else can we do....well this verse makes it clear that we need to watch ourselves when we are with others. Certainly we want to help the lost but we need to be so careful that we are not pulled down with them. It is so easy to pick up the habits of those we spend time with to spite our best efforts. I truly believe that bad association can cause you to fall away if you are not careful. My advice would be to limit time spent with those whose behaviour leads you astray and when you are together use that time to try and draw them away from sinfulness and toward God. If you are worried about them not being your friend were they ever if they'd leave you over refusal to partake in activities or behaviours you know are wrong? One more thing to think about is that we as Christians are to be a light to the world in order that others may be drawn to us and be saved from eternal torment in hell. This is no joke. If you love your friends help them. What kind of light are we when we are running around in the darkness ourselves? Some people refuse Christianity because they see that the Christians they know are hypocrites. They go to church on Sunday and act very religious, or act that way around their pastor or church friends but the minute they aren't they are wallowing in the same pit of worldliness and sin as the unsaved. The lost are watching us. They are looking to see if life as a Christian is worth the effort. They want to know what difference God has made in our lives. What do they see when they look at you?
Galatians 6:1
[ Bear and Share the Burdens ] Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Blessings,
Liisa