Resisting Temptation
Have you ever noticed that during the times when it feels like we are lacking that temptation comes much stronger. During the times when we are going through a trial or a time of pain or suffering. Those times the devil never fails to bring before us things to tempt us to fall. Today’s lesson focuses on this and hopefully will encourage us to resist the devil and flee from temptation by allowing GOD to be our source of strength, comfort, and rest. I pray that it is a blessing to you.
Handout: Resisting Temptation
Resisting Temptation
Depravation, I looked it up in the dictionary just to be able to write to you what it says about this world.
dep·ri·va·tion noun \ˌde-prə-ˈvā-shən also ˌdē-ˌprī-\
: the state of not having something that people need : the state of being deprived of something...
I recently heard an amazing preacher, preaching and he mentioned this word…Deprivation…It keeps echoing in my mind…over and over…I had never thought about it that much before…how depravity or a feeling of deprivation can sometimes be used by the devil to try to lead us to give in to certain temptations if we are not very careful. Just the word can cut to the core…and bring tears even when we don’t really know why…
The Apostle Paul’s words keep echoing in my mind as well from Galatians 5:16 “ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Deprivation…I guess there are many things, feelings, emotions that we can feel we are deprived of…and if we are living according to our emotions, we can begin to seek to ease that depravity with something or someone…that is when we can get into so much trouble if we are seeking after the wrong kind of comfort. That is why it is so important for us to remember that we walk by faith. We do not live according to our emotions, we live by what THE WORD OF GOD says. So where is the right place to seek that comfort…? In The LORD, JESUS CHRIST.
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” {Romans 7:24-25}
Doing the right thing is not always going to “Feel” good…I know from experience…when this flesh is hurting, crying out for comfort…in times of loneliness…or suffering…times of rejection…in times of grief…those feelings can last for so long…and maybe we try to put on a happy face and smile and be strong as we go…but there comes a time when the smiles run out…and the heartache can get so intense that we just want to feel better…just for a little while…it’s been so long…so just for a while…to forget our misery. Those are dangerous times…it’s dangerous because this is when the evil one will come at us with those temptations.
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am temptedof God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” {James 1:13-14}
During these times it’s when we have to lean on THE LORD, stay on our faces before HIM and to stay in HIS WORD…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. It won’t last forever, this too shall pass and if you cling to THE LORD for your strength and comfort…you will come out the better for it.
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” {James 1:3-4}
“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.” {1 Corinthians 10:13}
We must remember that everything GOD allows in our lives are for a reason…whether we like it or not...Trials come to make us strong, to teach us endurance…to bring wisdom. “Sometimes the trials of this life, are GODS mercies in disguise. Sometimes it is to teach us to Trust HIM more…sometimes it’s just to show the glory of GOD. {Remember Job}
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” {James 1:17}
So what is the right thing to do during those times of trials when temptation is coming at you from every side…how do we resist the evil one? We go to HIS WORD for that answer!
James 4:-10 “6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
You can be sure that The LORD has not forgotten you. HE knows what you are going through and He sees every tear. Sometimes it can be so irritating when someone tells you to just hold on, and be faithful, and it’s going to be ok when you have been in a situation for months or even years…sometimes we just want someone to acknowledge that it STINKS! That life is not fair and that it’s not rainbow and butterflies. Sometimes we just want to stop smiling and just cry or just say how we really feel…sometimes we just want to be left alone…and other times we are left alone only to want someone who cares. CHRST JESUS does care and He knows and truly understands your struggles. He will be your strength. He said “come to me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” {Matthew 11:28}
Are you weary? Have you come before Him for rest? If not please do, only HE is the true shepherd, with Him you will not want for anything good…Only He can make you lie down in green pastures and lead you beside still waters…only He can restore your soul and lead you in the paths of righteousness…only He can give you courage in the midst of the shadow of death so that you will fear no evil…only HIS rod and staff can give true comfort. Only He can prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies and anoint your head with oil till your cup runs over with blessing. Only He can cause goodness and mercy to follow you all the days of your life so that you dwell in the House of The LORD forever. Only HIM…there is none like HIM!
Dear Righteous, Heavenly Father…
We bow down humbly before in awe of who You are. Lord I pray today that you rescue those who have placed their trust in You…the ones who are being persecuted for Your Names sake all over the world…I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and that you help all of us to walk in Your Holy Spirit so that w do not walk after the flesh. I pray that if there is one that is lost, open their eyes and draw them closer to yourself by Your Sweet Holy Spirit. Lord, we know and understand that ALL good things come from You and we are thankful. Asking You LORD to help this ministry and help us to go into all the world and teach Your word as you would have us to. We will ever prase You because You are worthy O LORD…In JESUIS name we pray...Amen.
Cindygirl
July 21, 2019