Memorize: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that yea are able; but will the tempatation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians. 10:13
Devotional Reading: James 1:12-27
Temptation is one of the most familiar experiences of a true child of God and no one can totally escape from it. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted Matthew.4:1 and Hebrews 4:15. This was why the Lord taught us to include it in our daily prayer, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”
It is not a sin to be tempted, it is yielding to temptation that is a sin. We all have choices in life, it is within the devil’s power to tempt us, but it is outside his power to make us fall into temptation; we make that decision ourselves either to resit the temptation or fall into it. God has already provided us with the power not to yield to temptation if we ourselves are willing to resist temptation.
Temptation has sources and purposes. God never tempts any man, although He may give permission for the devil to do so when He is certain that it will work out for our good and the end result would be for His Glory. James1:13. God sets boundaries which the tempter cannot cross, look at Job.1:12. The actual sources of temptation are from Satan according to Matthew.4:1, the flesh according to James 1:14, evil association proverbs. 1:10 and shocking one is that some so called Christian friends can also be sources of temptation. Psalm 1:1-3; says “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly; nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water; that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not withe; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”.
God only allow temptation to come our way, when He wants to test our faith, or evaluate our obedience or loyalty. He does that for Him to know the depth of our love and sincerity in obeying his command and to assess the degree of our loyalty to Him. It is so easy to say I love God, but the prove of that love can only be tested in times of trouble; difficult times reveal trusted people.
Temptation can come through different avenue: Poverty or prosperity, discouragement, pride like the case of Nebuchanezzar in Daniel.4:30. Pleasure such that led Demas astray; also desire for power, lobbying for a position not meant for you. Excess love for material possessions in the account of Achan in Joshua 7 can also be cause of temptation. Other causes can be love of women, love of money, love of men, love of earthly things above our love for God, and many more. These are some of the mediums by which a man can be tempted. It is possible to resist temptation, Jesus did not yield to temptation, yet he was in the flesh at the time. Jod did not yield to temptation, Joseph did not yield to temptation; they were all in the flesh at the time. You too can resist temptation it you are rooted in Christ and well grounded in his word.
There is abundant grace to resist and overcome temptations. I am praying for you today, that God will give you the grace to resist and overcome every temptation that comes your way in the mighty name of Jesus.
May the Lord give you the grace not to fall into temptation in Jesus name.
May the Lord give you the grace not to fall into temptation in Jesus name.
Prayers point : My father and my God, please help me resist and overcome every temptation in Jesus name.
Key Dose: There is abundant grace to resist and overcome temptation if you are willing.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor
In His Presence Christ Tabernacle
