Post by 2fw8212a on May 24, 2018 10:10:32 GMT -5
One of the hardest things in the life of a believer is to endure and overcome evil temptations.
We were called to follow the steps of the Lord Jesus...
"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”" - 1 Peter 2:21-22
The Lord knows of all our weaknesses and He wants to heal us, so that we can live much better.
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." - Mark 2:17
It is much easier to give up and do evil then: Why should I be striving to endure temptation?
"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
Another question is: Why would any believer desire to lose to evil?
"It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God." - Matthew 4:7
The answer is: A believer would not want to lose.
"...for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find" - Romans 7:18
Good news: Now you can!
"I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God,
but with the flesh the law of sin." - Romans 7:25
Is it God's will that I give up to evil temptation? Definitely no.
"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." - James 1:13-14
Consequently, evil temptations are there to be overcome by the Children of God.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." - 1 John 5:3-4
Many people simply do not know how to overcome temptations, then the answer is: Faith, knowledge and love.
"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." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Faith in the Word of God, defeat the evil with faith in the truth, working through love.
And I say love, because without love it is impossible.
Then pray that the love for the Lord is shed on you heart more abundantly, and for more wisdom and knowledge of the truth.
"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." - Romans 5:5
"bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
Love, which in this case means the Spirit of God in you... Causes His Word, which is truth, and the Spirit to work together, and consequently, come to life.
If one has the Word but not the love for it, then they will not succeed.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. " - 1 John 2:15-17
Do not worry, you may lose a few fights against evil temptations, but if you pray and focus on not failing the next time...
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
You will soon overcome it, and then it will no longer be a challenge for you.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
...Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." - John 8:34+36
"...If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:31-32
God bless you all in Jesus' name! Amen.
We were called to follow the steps of the Lord Jesus...
"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”" - 1 Peter 2:21-22
The Lord knows of all our weaknesses and He wants to heal us, so that we can live much better.
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." - Mark 2:17
It is much easier to give up and do evil then: Why should I be striving to endure temptation?
"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
Another question is: Why would any believer desire to lose to evil?
"It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God." - Matthew 4:7
The answer is: A believer would not want to lose.
"...for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find" - Romans 7:18
Good news: Now you can!
"I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God,
but with the flesh the law of sin." - Romans 7:25
Is it God's will that I give up to evil temptation? Definitely no.
"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." - James 1:13-14
Consequently, evil temptations are there to be overcome by the Children of God.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." - 1 John 5:3-4
Many people simply do not know how to overcome temptations, then the answer is: Faith, knowledge and love.
"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." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Faith in the Word of God, defeat the evil with faith in the truth, working through love.
And I say love, because without love it is impossible.
Then pray that the love for the Lord is shed on you heart more abundantly, and for more wisdom and knowledge of the truth.
"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." - Romans 5:5
"bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
Love, which in this case means the Spirit of God in you... Causes His Word, which is truth, and the Spirit to work together, and consequently, come to life.
If one has the Word but not the love for it, then they will not succeed.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. " - 1 John 2:15-17
Do not worry, you may lose a few fights against evil temptations, but if you pray and focus on not failing the next time...
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
You will soon overcome it, and then it will no longer be a challenge for you.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
...Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." - John 8:34+36
"...If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:31-32
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." - 2 Corinthians 13:14
God bless you all in Jesus' name! Amen.