Temptation, 13of13

~ Temptation Summary: 13 Principles ~

Based upon the Word of God we can easily state some summary principles regarding temptation in the life of the Christian.

Common To All Mankind  ~  Since the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden all mankind faces temptation.  “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  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 10:12-13). 

Satan Is The Tempter  ~  “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1-11).  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

God Does NOT Tempt Anyone  ~  “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’” (James 1:13a). 

Satan Attacks Your Specific Vulnerabilities  ~  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us [which varies by individual], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

Satan Attacks After Spiritual Victories  ~  The devil also loves to attack quickly following your spiritual victories when we you are most likely to let your guard down (see Post #10 in this series). 

Being Tempted Is NOT a Sin  ~  Jesus Christ—the sinless Son of God—was tempted by Satan.  “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1-11). 

Succumbing To Temptation IS Sin  ~  “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” (James 1:14-15). 

Temptation Is NEVER an Excuse For Sinning  ~  God created mankind in His own image and gave us free will—the ability to choose.  We are responsible for making right choices.  As we mature in the faith we will increase in our batting average of right choices.  “Solid food belongs to those who are of full age [Christian maturity], that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).  No one—not even Satan himself—can make your sin.  You are responsible for your actions. 

God ALWAYS Provides a Way of Escape  ~  “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  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 10:12-13). 

Being Tempted Verifies The Truth of Scripture  ~  “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  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 10:12-13). 

Overcoming Temptation Draws You Closer To God  ~  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Overcoming Temptation Produces Joy and Happiness  ~  “Blessed [happy] is the man who endures temptation” (James 1:12a).   

Overcoming Temptation Has Eternal Rewards  ~  “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). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Came To…, 3

~ Jesus Christ Came To Preach The Kingdom Of God ~

Passage  ~  “Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place.  And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.’  And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee” (Luke 4:42-44).

Significance  ~  Jesus Christ came to save all people from all groups (ethnic, geographic, trades, careers, race, skin-color, etc.).

Comment  ~  We live in a day of great opportunity—but it will not last indefinitely.  “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’  Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1).  “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.  He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever” (Psalm 103:8-9).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fact Check, 73

~ You’re Putting God In A Box ~

Introduction  ~  Sometimes people will declare “You’re putting God in a box!”  But is that a legitimate statement?  Not really, but be careful of the nuances.   

Clearly Not Legitimate  ~  Sometimes individuals will put God in a box by making statements such as, “God only does His work through man.”  Yet, many have come to know God through nature (see Romans 1:18-23) or through the direct work of the Holy Spirit without the involvement of any person.  In such a case it is clear that they are illegitimately putting God into a box.  God works in many ways—some of which we are totally unaware. 

Somewhat Legitimate  ~  Speaking of partial truth from Scripture (ignorant of the complete Word of God) someone might say, “You’re putting God in a box!”  If such a person uses an example from Scripture to say “God only speaks through prayer” they are correct that God does sometimes speak through prayer but neglecting the reality that God sometimes speaks in other ways.  In this situation, the person whether realizing it or not, is actually putting God and His methods into their self-conceived box.  But because it is only a partial truth it still needs a much closer examination. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .