" TEMPTATION DOES NOT COME FROM GOD "

Thanks for stopping by, man do I have a message for you today. This week we are taking a hard look at temptation, so let's get started.

Folks we often give into temptation, as it happens gradually. Any person who allows sin to take root in his or her life can find himself or herself in this predicament. Now, temptation entertained today becomes sin tomorrow, then a habit the next day, then death and of course separation from God forever. Are you hearing me?!?!

Sexual temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and natural desires that God has given us. Marriage provides God's way to satisfy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation. Married couples have the responsibility to care for each other; therefore, husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another but should fulfill each other's needs and desires. Temptation is Satan's invitation to give into his way of life and give up on God's kind of life. Remember Satan tempted Eve and ever since he succeeded into tricking her to sin, he realized how easy it will be to go after man in the future. We fall into trouble,when we dwell on the few things we don't have rather than on the countless things God has given us.

 " HOW TO RESIST TEMPTATION " first, we must realize that being tempted is not a sin. We have not sinned until we give in to the temptation. Then, to resist temptation, we must (1) pray for strength to resist. (2) run, sometimes literally, and (3) say no when confronted with what we know is wrong. James 1:12 tells of the blessings and rewards for those who don't give in when tempted.

LET NO ONE SAY WHEN HE IS TEMPTED, " I AM BEING TEMPTED BY GOD "; FOR GOD CANNOT BE TEMPTED BY EVIL, AND HE HIMSELF DOES NOT TEMPT ANYONE (James 1:13).

Temptation comes from evil desires inside us, not from God. It begins with an evil thought and becomes sin when we dwell on the thought and allow it to become an action. Like a snowball rolling downhill, sin grows more destructive the more we let it have its way. The best time to stop a temptation is before it is too strong or moving too fast to control. People who live for God often wonder why they still have temptations. Does God tempt them? God tests people, but he does not tempt them by trying to seduce them into sin. God allows Satan to tempt people, however, in order to refine their faith and to help them grow in their dependence on Christ. We can resist the temptation to sin by turning to God for strength and choosing to obey His Word.

Until Next Time... 
Jim