Resisting Temptation

There comes a time in everyone’s life where they must settle down and deny themselves many a temptation. There are temptations to the left of us and temptations to the right. This is where many people fail to achieve wholeness in their walk with Jesus. It is where they fall short in their lives in Christ.

Jesus knows all about temptation. He was tempted by Satan in just about every way you could imagine, the only difference being that He passed with flying colours! He never succumbed to temptation. His walk was blameless and free from sin. Hebrews 4:15 NKJV “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.”

While He is compassionate to us for our shortcomings, He knows and understands the many pitfalls there are that can get us into danger and sin. James 1:12 “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.”

We must take full responsibility to ensure that we do not succumb to temptation. We cannot blame God, and we must resist with all our might! James 1:13-16 “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. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”

It’s high time that we as a nation of followers take control of ourselves, and our earthly desires of lust and greed, in order that we may become more settled in our ways, and more in touch with the truth. We must never forget who we are – we are God’s children, and we need to act as such.

Whenever we see ourselves slipping, we can turn to the Lord for help. He loves and cares for us and helps us to walk in the light of His truth. Psalm 94:18-19 NKJV “If I say, ‘My foot slips, ‘Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”

If we do stray from the path, we must first acknowledge that we are in error, and offer up our repentance to God. Repentance declares to God that we His followers, are sorry for being in error, and that we intend to turn from our wicked ways, and it allows the power of the precious blood of Jesus to cleanse us of any sin. 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Remember that the road to life can be difficult and treacherous, but if you have the courage to travel it, you will be rewarded beyond measure. Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

PS 1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” Amen.

All glory for these words as always, goes to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.