How do you answer temptation?
Matthew 4:3-4 (NIV)
"The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Deuteronomy 8:3)
How do you react when you know you are being tempted? Do you pray, do you give in, do you do? Ever think that it is impossible to not give in to the temptation? What happens when you fail and give in to the temptation to sin? Do you get mad with yourself after you sin?
I know that the devil knows our weaknesses and we will be tempted in those areas. God allows us to be tempted and God knows our weaknesses as well. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul writes, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
There is always a way out of situations where you are tempted to sin. I have found that if you are not prepared then you will fail. You will sin if you are not prepared. Just like a boxer who does not prepare for a fight or a team who does not practice. The majority of the time you will lose. So how do you prepare to be "attacked" by the tempter? You have to know how to defeat him.
As Jesus does when he is tempted in the wilderness, we also have to know the scriptures to be able to defend ourselves. God's word is what builds us up, and reading God's word and practicing its' applications are what make us stronger. Just like exercise for physical strength, practice for a team, and training for a boxing match builds us up and gives us a better chance at succeeding. Reading our bibles, praying, following God's will, and applying God's word to our lives gives us a better chance to succeed when we are tempted to sin and see the way out that the Lord has provided us with. I am sure we will still fail occasionally, however the more we spend time preparing ourselves and abiding in the will of God, the more we will see the way out of the sinful situation that God provides us. Just as a running back sees the hole open up through practicing each play, we will begin to see the way.
Challenge: We have to know the word of God in order to respond the way that Jesus did when he was tempted. Spend the time reading the bible this week to strengthen yourself. If you would practice something an hour a day i.e. the piano, soccer, golf, etc. to get better, then spend the same amount of time reading your bible each day.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
"The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Deuteronomy 8:3)
How do you react when you know you are being tempted? Do you pray, do you give in, do you do? Ever think that it is impossible to not give in to the temptation? What happens when you fail and give in to the temptation to sin? Do you get mad with yourself after you sin?
I know that the devil knows our weaknesses and we will be tempted in those areas. God allows us to be tempted and God knows our weaknesses as well. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul writes, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
There is always a way out of situations where you are tempted to sin. I have found that if you are not prepared then you will fail. You will sin if you are not prepared. Just like a boxer who does not prepare for a fight or a team who does not practice. The majority of the time you will lose. So how do you prepare to be "attacked" by the tempter? You have to know how to defeat him.
As Jesus does when he is tempted in the wilderness, we also have to know the scriptures to be able to defend ourselves. God's word is what builds us up, and reading God's word and practicing its' applications are what make us stronger. Just like exercise for physical strength, practice for a team, and training for a boxing match builds us up and gives us a better chance at succeeding. Reading our bibles, praying, following God's will, and applying God's word to our lives gives us a better chance to succeed when we are tempted to sin and see the way out that the Lord has provided us with. I am sure we will still fail occasionally, however the more we spend time preparing ourselves and abiding in the will of God, the more we will see the way out of the sinful situation that God provides us. Just as a running back sees the hole open up through practicing each play, we will begin to see the way.
Challenge: We have to know the word of God in order to respond the way that Jesus did when he was tempted. Spend the time reading the bible this week to strengthen yourself. If you would practice something an hour a day i.e. the piano, soccer, golf, etc. to get better, then spend the same amount of time reading your bible each day.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
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