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ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
James 1:12-15

James 1:12

 

“Blessed is the man that

endureth temptation.”

 

ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION
 
This world is full of temptations, and every one of us has been tempted many times. We have read or heard or seen many people, young and old, male and female, fall into temptations. Many a high-ranking official has lost his reputation due to bribery, corruption or a sex scandal. Young ladies and men have been lured into sexual immorality. Others have been tempted to commit sins like theft, murder, drug trafficking, fornication, adultery, suicide, etc. Even in the churches, many leaders have been tempted to compromise God’s truth, God’s Word and biblical principles for the sake of being accepted, recognised, accredited, popular, or for personal gains or selfish ambitions.
 
The word “temptation” in James 1 not only refers to temptation to sin (v 13) but also to testing, trials, afflictions, persecutions, etc (verses 2, 12). God allows Satan to tempt us as he did to Adam and Eve (Gen 3). Even our Lord Jesus was tempted (Matt 4). The Lord wants to prove us to see if we fear Him, love Him, and obey Him or not (v 12). Temptation and testing are opportunities for us to prove our love, obedience and loyalty to the Lord. So, we are taught to endure the testing with perseverance (v 12) and to resist and overcome Satan the tempter through our faith in Christ and through the Word of God (James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9; 1 John 2:14; 5:5).
 
Sin is real, Satan is real and temptations are real, and those who really want to live a holy life according to God’s Word can see how intense the battle is! Our Lord Jesus still warns us, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:41). May the Lord help us to overcome temptations so that we may be blessed (v 12).
 
THOUGHT: Being tempted is not sin, but yielding to temptation is sin.

PRAYER: Father, please help me overcome temptations to glorify Thee.

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