I wrote the words Temptation Is Not From God about a year ago. Review it and then see the new notes that follow:
Temptation Is Not From God
first written on February 16th, 2009
I was reading from the book of James Chapter 1 this morning.
To be reminded that God will not tempt us is so encouraging.
Since we find that we are tempted by our own evil desires and lusts we know what to do with those desires that we know God did not send our way. What are you supposed to do with the trash? That’s right! You place trash in trash bags and take them out of the house.
In order for a Christian to keep their spiritual home clean and orderly they have to take time to examine themselves. When they examine themselves and they see anything is out of order or unclean they need to gather up the ugly thoughts and things that they know God doesn’t want in their home (our bodies which are the temples of the Holy Ghost) and they need to take the trash out.
I’ve been doing some organizing in my physical home and my spiritual home lately. It is not always easy to go through old stuff and it’s not especially fun to see things laying around that have to be gone through but it is wonderful when the work is all done.
I know we are not going to be totally perfect this side of heaven. We will have times when we struggle with the battles we endure while living on earth. We just have to recall that God wants us to think Holy thoughts and He wants us to fill our minds with His Word so we can resist the temptations that come from our own evil desires within us.
Don’t blame the devil for every thought that comes your way. Even though the devil seeks whom he may devour he doesn’t have any control over your life unless you give it to him.
Greater is HE THAT IS IN YOU than he who is in the world! God gives the believer strength to do things different than the way the rest of the world does things.
You are a Christian if you’ve been saved by acknowledging Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
God’s Word says this in II Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
IF you are in Christ you are a new creation. The old things of your past are no longer a part of your life. You are a brand new creature in Christ Jesus.
When you see people from your past that may recall your ways from former days step right up to them and pray asking God to help you speak with words of conviction so they will know you are not the person you used to be. You may even practice what you will say to such people just in case you are given an opportunity to speak to them again.
I was thinking about this today. I thought of how I’d like to gently step forward and say something like, “I’m a new creature in Christ Jesus. Jesus got a hold of my life and I’m just not the same person any more. I’m so glad Jesus saved me and made me whole. I’m happier when I wake up in the morning. I know where to go to get peace when times are tough. I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” & “Yeah, I once walked a life of shame and now I’m trying to serve the Lord that gave His life for me.”
Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work !
New notes about last year’s writing:
I still agree that we can change our old attitudes and ways with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a long uphill battle for some of us. God’s Word tells us the difference between right and wrong.
This year I still want to encourage fellow Christians to keep doing what they know is right. It is also my goal to remind them that we are tempted by evil desires within but we are not tempted by God. God will never tell a person to do something that is evil. God is not the author of confusion or deceit.
If you have been tempted by old evil desires know that your Redeemer lives. Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of the Living God, died on the cross for your sins. He wants you freed from walking after the evil desires within you. He wants you to take a stand against unholy ways. He wants you to take up your cross to follow Him on the straight and narrow path.
You can do all good things through Jesus Christ who strengthens you. You are able to overcome evil by doing good things. Turn from evil ways and live. That’s what God wants for His people.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were forced to choose if they would bow down to an idol or be sent into the fiery furnace. They made a choice to be sent into a fire rather than to bow down to a worthless idol created by man. The Lord was with them in the fire. They were not harmed. God protected them because they made the right choice.
I pray all my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord will follow the examples God has given us in His Word. I pray they will stand up for right living. I pray they will choose to do what they know is right no matter what anyone else says or does. I pray they will steer clear of all forms of evil.
Each person has a choice whether they will follow their own ways or whether they will follow the will of the Lord. The Lord wants to be on the thrones we hold in our hearts. We are instructed that where our treasure is our heart will be there also. If we treasure our own selfish ways above the ways of God we will self-destruct. A person cannot serve two masters. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.
Follow God and be blessed. Follow the world and get what the world offers knowing it won’t last forever.