Tonights blog topic is something I was discussing with my daughter and her boyfriend when we picked him up at school today. It was also the subject of my daughters conversation with her dad over her best friend. To take it a step further, it was the topic of her High School Bible Study tonight.
For the last two days, I have been doing a Bible Study, courtesy of Greg Lauries website, Harvest Crusades and the message is entitled I will diet, tomorrow. It isn't about dieting but about avoiding the temptations that we face each day. A dieters biggest challenge is about avoid excess or certain food types and the excuse not to exercise today. No matter how much they pray, they will untimately fail because they succumb to just a nibble of chocolate or maybe I will exercise tomorrow when I feel better. When they listen to that still small voice inside, they have a choice. To listen to it and do what it want's or to stick to the program.
My quote of the day is simply this....Satan, like a fisherman, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish. Whatever you are weak in, or in some cases whatever you think is your greatest strength may ultimately bring about your greatest weakness.
So here is what I took away from it. It will help you whenever you are faced with temptation and don't always think that still small voice inside your head is the voice of reason, it may very well be the bait that is needed to bring about your fall. You have a choice. To listen to it, or run from it.
1. When does temptation come? Temptation will generally follow times of happiness, joy or blessing. For a new believer, it generally will come immediately upon being saved. Your still small voice or doubts will say, "Hmmm, I didn't feel anything different? How do I know I am saved? What if I am not?" Do you think for one moment that those are the voices of reason from God. ((Buzz)) Wrong answer if you said yes! It's from our enemy trying to cast doubt in the midst of something we are supposed to be enjoying. The enemy is waiting to when we are the most vunerable often times to most strong. Read 1 Corinthians 10:12.
2. Where does temptation generally come from? Read James 1: 13-16. We are drawn away from God by our own desires! It won't hurt if I try it just once. If I only have a little bite I can stop. I will only hang out in his room as friends, we won't do anything and if we do, I can say no! Why put yourself in that situation. The solution, don't! Where there is no desire, there is no temptation. Our three enemies are the world, the flesh, and the devil. The first one will attack us on the external, the next the interal and the last the infernal. People make errors when it comes to temptation, based on people telling us what we shouldn't do. It makes us want to do it. Try telling a small child not to touch something, what do they want to do...right touch it. We have to accept responsibility for our actions and not blame it on anyone but ourselves. We ultimately have a choice.
3. Who does temptation come to? Those that are young in the faith or new believers and those that are making a difference to God. Do you ever doubt your salvation? How do you really know you are saved and going to heaven. How do you even know heaven exists, no one has seen it? This type of temptation can be traced all the way back to the beginning of time when the serpent tempted Eve. Did God really say you couldn't eat of any of the fruit??
Here's a clue!! If you are being tempted daily....you are on the right path....You are doing God's will. God will always provide a way out of a temptation. He will provide an open door. Remember also that he will never give you more than you can bear either. We have to remember our strongest virtues can be our greatest vunerabilities.
So keep your guard up, and don't get too cocky with your pride and think you can handle it. That is when you are setting yourself up. Begin by building your faith everyday. Get into the word, go to church, build your spiritual self up. Remember Jesus said we need to take up our cross daily. Concentrate your energies on moving forward spiritually. We need to work daily on building a good spiritual life.
So for those of you that are struggling with families that are giving you a tough time in your faith, smile, do the will of God and tell yourself you're on the right path and you're doing something right otherwise your life would be going along smooth. Pray for your family and let God do the work in their hearts. It may be your actions alone and not what you say will win them to God. Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and continue to build your faith even more stronger than before.
Please comment and let me know if this helped you in anyway. Take care and God bless!
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