"Temptation"
Another woman? Falling away from the church? Losing faith in God? Drunkeness? Gambling? Pornography? Laziness?
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 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. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:12-18).
It is not God who tempts us, but the old serpent, Satan, the devil. This is the one who came to the woman in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3). The same one who came to Jesus in the desert (Mat. 4). He is our tempter also!
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
We are all tempted. Like bait dangling from a fish hook draws fish, so we are lured into sin. Satan appeals to our own desires. This is the point of attack. Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was good for food, a delight to the eyes and would make one wise. Through these same avenues, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16), Satan tempts today.
To give in to temptation and fulfill our desires is to commit sin. Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2) and ultimately leads to hell! This is a high price for a little pleasure!
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward (Heb. 11:24-26).
Though the devil tempts us all, he cannot force us to sin. Each one of us chooses to sin or not to sin. Temptation tests our love for God. Having been proved faithful we will receive the crown of life.
Robert Dodson
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