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When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
James 1: 13-14 (NIV)
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INTRODUCTION
Daily believers are met with temptations and even tests. One is not the same as the other. Nor is their source. Temptations come from satan and our flesh. God never tempts as it is written in James 1: 13-14 (NIV). The goal of temptation is to bring us out of God’s will by chasing false solutions that never bring resolution or life. Choosing the correct door is the answer.
WHAT IS TEMPTATION?
Satan will do anything to get us out of God’s will and chase different things and solutions that will lead us away from God and life. It all begins with the already mentioned introduction of lack and doubt. Did God really? Is this really?
This game is known as temptation and satan alone tempts. He is known as the seducer. Our desires can also tempt us. The goal is to set us up for failure contrary to God who tests to approve. God never temps as stated in James 1: 13-14 (NIV).
KJV Dictionary defines temptation as "The act of tempting; enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good." (2)
Temptation results in us doing evil. It can all start with a small move of the goalposts. Soon Satan will try to get us to move the goalposts even more. And so he will bring us into total disarray. Before we know it we are as a fish on a hook. A dead fish.
WHEN WILL IT BE MY TIME?
Ever since that apprenticeship every once in a while I would deal with this intense desire to know when my time would come. The time when I would be released into my destiny and receive what I have been hoping and praying for. It was an intense yearning that a few times made me chase things that brought me no good or were not what God had in mind. Especially when concerning my marital promise.
Even today I wonder if I am in alignment with God. Did I move with God’s approval or did I go prematurely?
God gives us the first step and waits for us to make it before he gives us the next one. It can be confusing and lead to wrong decisions. Be forgiving towards yourself. God is not seeking perfection but rather a yielded heart.
Relying on the word of God can help us in such seasons. Will this lead to sin or will it lead to obedience and the following of God’s ways?
CHOOSE THE CORRECT DOOR
Falling for temptation can cost us much. The solution though, can be simple and based on who we are.
We are three-part beings made out of spirit, soul, and body. There's a fourth element though that also plays a part - flesh. While our spirit always seeks that which is in alignment with God, our flesh is in enmity with God and works contrary to His ways. (3)
In each situation, we are presented with two doors. At the first one stands our flesh with an option that leads to sin, and at the other stands the spirit that leads to life. We have a choice to make. God gives us free will to do so. We can either choose the spirit-led door or the flesh-led door. If we choose correctly, the door leading to our flesh automatically closes. (3)
See, we do not need to strive or try hard. We only need to choose the right door. The minute we choose it, the door to the flesh closes.
TO CONCLUDE, tests are part of every believer’s life. And sadly so are temptations. The latter are always from Satan. He wishes to bring failure and dishonor. God never tempts as stated in James 1: 13-14. He tests to approve us. To battle against temptation, choose the correct door. Choose the door that leads to the spirit. It will automatically close the door that leads to flesh.
Application
SOURCES
Image by wix.com.
King James Bible Dictionary: Temptation. AV1611, online version. Accessed on February 19 2023. Link: https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/temptation.html
Craig Hill. Restore your soul: Finding freedom from fear, shame and anger. Lesson 2: Battle for soul control: Spirit vs flesh. Transcript. Page 1
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