James 1:12-16
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.
13 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.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
It seems that as I get older that we are living more and more in a time when temptation is only getting greater. Satan uses technology to make everything come before you and temp you into sin.
Temptation is not a sin, but it is what leads us to sin. It is the infectious and if we leave it out of control we will lose out with God.
Everyone here has been tempted to do something wrong before. You have been tempted for the piece of pie when you knew you were too full or maybe you have been tempted to buy something you shouldn't spend your money on. My problem is more like donuts, it's hard to stop. These are not a sin and does not normally lead to sin, but they do lead to misery.
We do have a remedy for these satanic attacks through Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:14
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Before you give in to that temptation and do that thing that looks so enticing, take a moment to think about the consequences.
What will happen to your testimony in the eyes of others when they find out? What will happen to your walk with the Lord? What will happen within yourself after discovering you have fallen into sin?
Satan know what he is doing and how to do it just right to tempt you into something that will make you lose your salvation and not make it into Heaven.
- He Makes It Look Good
I have seen many advertisement for liquor. We have all seen the billboards or the advertisements on TV where everyone is standing around at a part talking laughing and having a good time with a beer in their hand. Maybe there is the good looking women or men that are hanging all around them.
These is a mirage in the desert.
This is something that is more of a pipe-dream than a real life situation. If you were where they are you would probably have someone in a fight, getting arrested or someone getting hurt or maybe you would be lucky enough to just wake up feeling bad with a hang over.
- Persistence of Satan
Satan is very persistence in showing you some of the temptations multiple times. Maybe you are constantly seeing the same person over and over and you think they are cute or handsome. Sometimes the more you are around someone the more effectuated that you can get with them.
Most people that are able to resist one will eventually fall into it the second or third time around. Satan is very persistent.
- Satan is Deceiving
Satan will hide himself as a very shining light when really it is nothing but darkness. I have heard many people say over the years well they were not that way when I married them. Also, I have heard people say that it seemed like a good ideal at the time.
I had a friend of mine that invested some money into what sound like a very sound investment only to find out later that his stock continued to drop more than half of the value that he originally invested.
Satan know how to make you think one thing, but it will turn out different later.
- Satan Likes To Make A Deal
Satan usually bargain's with people by making them to see what they will gain by a single act of disobedience to the will of God. These include wealth, high positions, and many material things.
He even went as far to tell Jesus he will give Him all the riches of the world, just for Jesus to worship him.
We may not be able to stop the temptation that Satan brings our way, however we can have strength through Jesus Christ to be victorious over temptations.
- Trust In God
1 John 4:4
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
You are on the winning side. Jesus is your salvation and your refuge, trust in Him.
- Be Humble
When you think that you can resist any temptation that comes your way then you are already setting yourself up for a fall.
- Resist
James 4:7
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
You remember the old commercial just say no to drugs? Well.....Just say no to Satan.
Don't think for a moment that you can play around with temptation, because you will more then not end up in sin.
- Flee
There is a time when you can stand strong with God on your side and resist that temptation. However, I believe there is also a time to flee. Get as far away as you can from sources of temptation.
Matthew 6:13
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.