This morning, my thoughts go to the very life of a "Christian". The Christian life is just that, Christlike. Christ was tempted by Satan in this world, but He was determined to do the Fathers will. He used the Word to break every work of Satan, and so can we as believers, for the Word of God is powerful, alive, and active if applied.
What is God ASKING? This morning let's look into the questions –
Are you yielding to temptation? Do YOU yield to temptation? Temptations are all around us, and we are NOT to yield to these temptations. Jesus was tempted in ALL areas of life just as we are and did not sin.
He is our example, and the Bible is our guide, or you might say our instruction manual to follow in and through life. As a "Christian" we are led by the Holy Spirit just as Jesus was, and we can be victorious over EVERY temptation that Satan brings around us. Let's take a look at what the scriptures have to say in regard to temptations.
Matthew 4:1 – 10 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 1Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (KJV).
It is good to know that God treats us ALL the same. He is no respecter of persons. We ALL will experience tests, trials, and temptations here on this earth. As stated in this scripture, God will allow or make a way a way out of the temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 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 ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it] (KJV).
Yes, because Jesus has gone through the same sufferings and testing as we are he is able to help us when we are being tested. Hebrews 4:15 – 16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (KJV). Hebrews 2:18 (NLT) Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested (NLT).
We are to live a Godly, Holy, and righteous life. We must be watchful and stay alert…stay away from anything that displeases God. Yes, God WILL make a way, but we must be WILLING to walk and act upon His guiding. 1 Peter 5:8 – 10 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you] (KJV).
Temptations can come in so many ways. What we say and the way we react can be displeasing to the Lord. This is made very clear in James 1:26 – 27 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world (KJV).
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