1 Corinthians 10:13 “ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is
common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape,
that you may be able to bear it.”
Dr. Nolte continues his sermon on trials and temptations by pointing out the truth that as
far as blaming temptation on our Maker, there is nothing in God’s nature to
work with because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. Temptation is inside us through our sin nature. Each person is tempted
when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and
enticed, then begins the progression of after desire has conceived, it gives birth
to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. The
by-products of gossip and hate-speech come from addictive pride and kills life.
This progression doesn’t happen all at once, but is a moving away from God
slowly. Beware of these desires and do not be deceived. We will go through
trials in our life, but choose “right” – (that which is “right” in the eyes of
the Lord). We have two choices – “right” and “not right”, so making no choice
is not choosing “right”. Make no mistake, we can be tempted and the results can
be devastating. This is the stark reality of looking in the mirror, taking an
audit and seeing ourself as we are.
James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down
from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not
change like shifting shadows. He chose to
give us birth through the word of truth, that we
might be a kind of firstfruits of all he
created. Therefore, what does the Word of God teach about trials and temptations,
and what am I going to do about it? (1) take responsibility by admitting that
we have fallen short of the glory of God, embrace the Lord and His just and
Holy Word. (2) Watch and resist. Misdirection, distractions and deceptions are
designed to get us to look the wrong way, so look to Jesus and the Word to know
the truth and not be deceived. (3) Stay together in the teaching, preaching and
fellowship of Believers – the body of Christ – and do not forsake the assembly
of the saints nor take your brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ in the
community of faith and the citizenship in the kingdom of Heaven Wild Kingdom
Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do
not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in
all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us
therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need.”
At the end of the day, life
can be difficult. Today is a great day to change that. In trials and
temptations, I am not going to question God, but I am going to trust Him. There
is nothing that God cannot handle. Anywhere we go, Jesus has already been
there. Wash your hands, purify your heart, and submit to God. Choose to follow
the Lord and find pure joy. He is full of mercy and grace. We give God all the
glory.
In Christ, Brian
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