" TEMPTATION "

Welcome Aboard, Today's message is one that I believe will touch each and everyone of us. This week we will be looking into " Temptation ". My dictionary defines Temptation: as the act of tempting: The state of being tempted: something that tempts. My Bible says: Testing, trial being enticed to do wrong or enticing someone to do wrong. The Bible firmly states that God cannot be tempted by evil and that He himself does not tempt anyone (James 1:13). Temptation is something that all of us must battle against. I believe that we're all aware of Satan's attempt at testing Jesus while in the wilderness. If we're honest with ourselves we must acknowledge that we are tempted often during a 24 hour period. James was able to resist all of the devil's temptations because he not only knew scripture, but he also obeyed it. Now don't you think that if we followed his example then we might be better off? You see God's word is a sword to use in spiritual combat. Don't be like Satan, he memorized scripture but failed to apply it to his life. Knowing and obeying the word of God is an effective weapon in our arsenal of weaponry against temptation. Temptation in our lives will almost always come after a high point in our spiritual lives or our ministries. Satan is the master of sneak attacks, so we must be vigilant even during times of victory, as well as in times of discouragement. When facing trials, first make sure that you haven't brought them on yourself through sin or unwise choices. Please note that Satan tempts when we're vulnerable. After examining your conscience and you find no sin to confess or unwise behavior to change, then ask the Father to strengthen you from your test. LAST POINT: Satan will often disguise sin as good, pleasant, and desirable. We tend to choose wrong things because they have a certain appeal to us we crave it just because. Listen, our sins do not always seem ugly to us, and the pleasant sins are the hardest to avoid. Temptation often begins by simply seeing something you want. Are you struggling with temptation because you have not learned that looking is the first step toward sin? We are to run from those things that produce evil thoughts. Until Next Time... Jim