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But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived,
it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 1: 14-15
it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 1: 14-15
We are tempted every day to stray from God and go our own way. The battle we face against temptation must be fought with the strength and power of Christ. Remember that temptation is not a sin. Our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by the Devil in Matthew 4. This is a good portion of Scripture to read when facing temptation. Every time Christ was tempted, he quoted Scripture. Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.” Temptation can be frustrating, as it is desirable. Remember when Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden of Eden the serpent tempted them with something that was desirable. Temptation is always something that appeals to the flesh and will damage the soul.
In Romans 7 we read all about Paul’s battle against the world, his own flesh, and the evil one. We see this battle displayed in verses 14-19, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
We ought to adopt the same attitude as Paul. His desire was to remain faithful to God whatever the cost may be. There is hope for us in temptation I Corinthians 10:13 teaches us that temptation is common to man, but God is faithful, and will not allow us to be tempted to the point of despair. God will also provide a way of escape, so we can overcome temptations. On this side of Heaven temptation and sin remain an ever-present reality, but Christ is always present to help us.
When we succumb to temptation, we must confess it to God. 1 John 1: 9-10 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” We lose our joy in the Lord when we sin and dwell in sin. Therefore, confession and faithfulness are important to the Christian soul. We can have victory over sin because Christ has defeated the enemy of our soul. We can have peace because we serve the Prince of Peace.
“For he is our God; And we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, And as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”
Psalm 95: 7-8
Also see Matthew 6:13, Acts 20:19. 1 Peter 1:6 & Revelation 3:10
