January 5 - Daily Devotion | The Battle with Temptation
"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, 'God is tempting me.' God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." James 1:12-15 NLT
It all begins with a thought, or a glance. It’s like a fiery dart of temptation that comes out of nowhere. It’s an evil desire so strong and intense to do or think something that God says is wrong. You hear God telling you that it doesn’t belong to you, it’s not ok in His eyes, it will steal from you, it will steal from others, and it leads to lasting damage. But your flesh desires it. There is a battle going on inside of you—Romans 7:15-23. You have a choice to make. What are you going to choose? Know this, if you choose to entertain this intense evil desire within you - Romans 8:5, it will lead to you committing evil actions and those evil actions will lead to your death—James 1:15. A spiritual death, a psychological death, a physical death, or a relational death - Romans 8:6. You will destroy your own psychosocial well-being by meditating and acting on carnal desires. You will be held responsible for your actions, and you will suffer the consequences and repercussions of your sin. God will not be mocked; you will reap what you sow—Galatians 6:7.
Everyone faces temptation. Being tempted is not a sin.
Jesus was tempted and yet He did not sin—Hebrews 4:15. It is when we give in to the temptation that it becomes sin. Being tempted to do evil is going to happen in your life. That’s not the question. The question is: how are you going to have victory over the temptations?
Victory is found solely in Jesus Christ—Romans 7:25.
Christ’s death on the cross conquered sin for all time. And when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God gave you the Holy Spirit to live within you to help you live out your faith and overcome the sin that wants to dominate you—Romans 8:9-14. You need to cry out to God to help you—Romans 7:24. Jesus is able to strengthen you when you are being tempted—Hebrews 2:18. Respond to Him in obedience and you will triumph over sin—Matthew 5:29-30. God is faithful to His kids! He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle. He has promised to always provide a way of escape—1 Corinthians 10:13. And His promises are backed by all the honor of His name—Psalm 138:2.
Trust Him. He is able to keep you from stumbling—Jude 1:24.
God will bless you for patiently enduring this time of testing. Be encouraged! If you stand strong against these temptations, God has promised to reward you with the crown of life—James 1:12.
Is there a temptation in your life today that you need to bring to the Lord, asking Him for help? Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you personally - 1 Peter 4:8.
Prayer: Abba, thank You for allowing me to come to Your throne of grace, to receive Your mercy and grace to help me when I need it most. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Excerpt taken from Dr. Alysa VanderWeerd's bible study, Radical Living: the Book of James
