Ouch. I started reading in the book of James this morning. Now I must admit that I love the book of James. I really do. He steps all over my toes every time I read him. He makes me stop and look at my life in comparison, and I must admit, many times I see things that I need to work on. I will never be perfect, for only Christ is perfect. And that is fine. But if I am a Follower of Christ, then I must be like Him, correct? There are some passages to relook at - shall we?
Matthew 16:15-16 (NKJV): "He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Yeah, that is not in James, but we need to start there. Who is this Christ that we are to follow? He is truly the Son of the living God. God is NOT Dead (watch that movie if you need clarification!) and He is alive and well, and He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, here on earth, to be like us, to be tempted as we are, and yet, He was without sin. He showed us the way to live, to turn from things unholy and turn to things that are of God. It's not hard... it's really very simple. It's when our mind gets to thinking, and that is where we get into trouble.
James 1:12-15 (NKJV): "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death."
Adam and Eve began the shifting of blame in the Garden of Eden. Remember Adam telling God "The woman whom You gave me.... gave me of the tree." And Eve, she passed the blame on to the serpent. But God should never be blamed for sin - sin is the sign of the enemy; it's evidence of the devil's activity. God may allow the temptation to strengthen us in our walk with Him, but He will never give you the temptation. If we give in to temptation, we are the only ones to blame.
Even Jesus was tempted, remember? Temptation is inevitable; no one escapes it, not even Jesus. But He chose to not give in to temptation but to quote back to the devil the Word of God and - well, remember ,,,,
Luke 4:4 (NKJV): "But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'"
Every word of God. That means we need to read and to know God's Word so that we can resist the temptations that come at us. If we don't read it, how will we know that God doesn't want us to do things? How can we follow Jesus if we don't know who He is?
Temptation itself is not a sin. It is the giving in to the temptation that causes it to become sin. It isn't a single thought - it is actually a process involving four stages: enticement, entrapment, endorsement, and enslavement. The key to overcoming temptation is not just to resist but also to change one's thoughts - refocusing one's mind on what is true and on Whom is our Victory - Jesus Christ. When people hold the temptation in their hearts and begin to fantasize it in their minds, sin is then conceived and once sin is 'born', it brings forth death.
We all sometimes fall into that thinking. It could be something that we know is sinful, and yet, our thoughts wander down that lane. Just thinking about it isn't bad, is it? Yeah.. it is... cause it puts it in our mind as a focus and then it becomes all we can think about. Let's use something simple as an example. Food. You know that I love food. Most people do. If that ice cream in my freezer is all I can think about, it has become my focus and no matter what, I will figure out a way to have it, whether hubby sees me eat it or not. Now, ice cream in itself is not bad (in moderation). And, remember, this is just an example... I'm trying to make a point, using something that I love. I know that a lot of ice cream is not good for me. I struggle with my weight all the time because I love food. Salads will put just as much weight on me as ice cream, but it is healthier, I tell myself. Anyway, if I keep my focus on the ice cream, and my desire for it increases to the point I 'have to have it' to satisfy myself, then it becomes a sin. The thought is there that I have to have it and I will do anything at all costs to get it. Then I go get it, and eat a bowl of it. (with saltine crackers and chocolate all over the top of it, of course. Or leave the chocolate off, but the saltine crackers are a must." It's like temptation to do things we shouldn't do. We think about it, fantasize about it, and then have to have it, and do it. And then we feel terrible because we gave in to the temptation.
So what do we do? When the thought first comes to mind, we need to cast it out of our minds and ask for God to help us block that thought. Do other things that are pleasing to God and are not sinful. Take your family out for dinner, do something productive. Keep your thoughts from fantasizing about your desire. Even movies nowadays have sinful scenes in them that can cause you to fantasize about things that you shouldn't be thinking about at all.
For me - I have had to get that ice cream and dump it out and/or throw in the trash. Yep. I may have one portion of that ice cream ... but I have - many times - because I know ice cream is not good for me and it causes me to sneak and eat it - I will take the half gallon of ice cream and dump it out or throw it in the trash to get it out of my temptation. Waste of money? Perhaps. But I had a portion of it, which is what I wanted. I don't n eed to eat the entire half gallon. I'm not one of those women who, when things don't go their way, grab ice cream and sit and eat the entire container. (why do they typecast us women as doing that, anyway?)
Ok - I dealt with temptations this morning of a non-healthy food item... you don't want me to get started on the 'tongue'! Oh that we could bridle that tongue and keep it from flapping all over the place! But - it is a topic for another day.
I Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV): "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 re able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
Keep your thoughts on good; on God. Push those temptations out of your mind. Ask God to help you with your thoughts, to keep them pure and holy. Seek His face, and know that He is God alone. Receive all that He has for you. You will never regret it.
Blessings!
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