James 1:14-15 (NKJV) 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
When we left off yesterday, we asked the question, “how and why are we tempted?”
From the verses above, we can quickly deduce that we are frequently victims of our own desires, allowing them to take root and grow within us until they lead to fully developed sin, which brings forth death.
Temptation will sometimes come from sources that we have no control over. But if we look at it honestly, we can see that we are often our own worst enemy.
So, now that we know the ways that temptation comes, it is critical that we address how to handle it when it does come.
What do we do? How do we stand strong in the face of it? How do we keep from falling to it repeatedly?
We must recognize and admit that our human flesh is not strong enough to overcome temptation on its own. This is especially true when we are dealing with sin that has a powerful grip on us, leading us to fall to it every time we face it.
If our flesh were strong enough to overcome it, we would not continually collapse beneath its weight, growing weary from the battle it presents. And we would not need God.
We need to confess our weakness and recognize that God is our only true source of help and hope.
That begins with knowing He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear and knowing that with every temptation He provides a way of escape.
We find hope in this; He provides a way of escape.
We must grab hold of the escape mechanism that He provides if we truly want to be free.
What is that way of escape? It will likely be different for every person and for every situation. The most important thing is knowing that there is a way out in every instance.
Here’s the biggest question for us to consider; will we heed the Holy Spirit’s promptings and take the step or steps that God is showing us as a means of escaping it?
Will we choose to break free from repetitive sin, follow God’s leading and live?
Or will we ignore the help offered to us by God Himself, choosing death?
Only we can answer that one. And the response we give will show whether we are truly serious about defeating temptation and sin in our lives.
Go with God, and live!
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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