Temptation
Just for a while I thought to look at one angle on temptation that we will experience as we seek to be complete in Jesus Christ.
The dictionary says of temptation : A testing designed to strengthen or corrupt.
Hebrews 2:18 Since He Himself has gone through suffering and temptation, He is able to help us when we are being tempted.
Also in a later verse in Chapter 4 the writer says that, He faced all the same temptations as we do yet He did not sin .
Isn’t it true that when we are faced with a problem or situation or whatever, we are more likely to listen to advice from someone who has had our same problem someone who has experienced our same temptation , when we thought our problem or temptation was unique to us. Now here comes someone I would be more inclined to listen to, someone not expounding theory, but sharing experiences.
Jesus says the writer to the Hebrews ,” has Himself gone thru all the same temptations “ And Jesus gives us some timely advice Matthew 6:13 Matthew 26 :41 Where he says , to pray to God ,and so don’t yield to temptation, to keep alert and pray, otherwise the temptation of the flesh will overcome you.”
God never temps us with evil but when we choose to turn away from it and resist it not giving in to its bait, we are strengthened.
James 1:12-14 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that Love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Do you know the easiest temptation to fall into is complaining!
What`s the easiest thing to do apart from talking about the weather, complain about something that can’t be resolved. How often do we when tempted give in and complain. Is complaining a sin ? No but what it does when we continue to engage in that is it weakens our spiritual resistance. All the negativity does have an effect.
Philippians 2: 14-16 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “Children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
First of all we need to protect our minds because the enemy knows where to hit us, it`s there first and foremost.
When Satan hits us with a temptation it first starts of in the mind, then we act on it. As an example… he starts by making us think how serene and wonderful were the good old days how glamorous and easy and better it was then, it was so much better in our biased memories and so we find reason to complain about today instead of giving thanks and walking in Victory.
Remember the Children of Israel ? God had miraculously delivered them from Egypt, He fed them with manna everyday, true it was manna, manna, manna every day , and they had all tried Moses`s cook book 101 Ways to cook Manna and then they started remembering the few scraps tossed to them by their slave, they saw the scraps as full buffets.
Temptation to complain – It starts with the thought, the enemy needs the cooperation of the tempted, that’s when we need to guard our minds.
Martin Luther said “You cant stop the birds flying over your head, but you can stop them nesting in your hair. “
Do we remain spiritually childish
or do we grow up in Jesus.
Remember the dictionary temptations designed to strengthen or corrupt.
Let’s take the advice of one who was tempted as we were, yet never gave in Keep alert and pray, otherwise temptation if you allow it will overcome you!
But we have a wonderful promise to hold onto in this Scripture below…
1 Corinthians 10:12-14 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Blessings
Ron.
Freedomborn 
Really enjoyed reading your post Ron, such a timely reminder. Thanks so much for sharing and many, many blessings to you and Anne….Robin
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Thanks Robin appreciated your droppng by, I guess when I challenge myself bound to be some spinoffs. Glad you enjoyed
Blessings
Ron.
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Just wanted to let you know i’m thinking of you..love you lots.
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We too Betty, you are part of our Christians family, Anne prays for you often and was only saying recently that she needed to visit you, we have had computer problems, eats up time.
Blessings
Ron
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awe God bless you both..
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That is a beautiful description about “temptation.” I agree to the view you have shared – that God cannot tempt us. A thought came to my mind when I read this article of your and I hope you will be able to clarify my thought. That is, God neither tempt us nor He allows us to be tempted beyond our limits. If so, then ‘temptation’ holds also a positive aspect of – God perfecting us. Helping us to overcome our weaknesses and to experience His love. As St.Paul’s experience of ‘thorn in the flesh’ and on another place St. Paul would say – where sin abides, grace abides (even) more. How do I comprehend it in the context of temptation.
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Thanks Sharon, glad you appreciated my thoughts on Temptation, I had a talk with Anne and felt the best way to answer your question would be to expound a bit on the Scriptures below, they are ones used a lot in understanding the Heart of God. Anne likes to give a bit more detail then me, so hopefully it will be of help, if not please e-mail us.
Paul as we see in Romans 7 where he called himself a wretched man, was dealing with his flesh, it is why God tells us it must be put to death by The Spirit, in Romans 8 and in other Scriptures, Paul explains how to do this. The thorn again shows he was dealing with his fleshy pride as he said and that it was from Satan but God did not take it away, it was something Paul had to choose to do but it reminded him and so he gave thanks that God would still work in him despite his affliction. Satan likes to use our weaknesses to attack us and remind us we are not perfected yet and even tells us we will never be but God reminds us all things are possible with Him and He gives us His grace till we are perfected in His Love, as Anne would say how good is that!
If God did not allow us to experience our sin then we would not confess and deal with it through The Holy Spirit, this is His discipline and chastisement, not much fun for sure. He does not deliberately hurt us but nor does He over ride our free will, like the Father of the Prodigal son didn’t , He lets us go our own way and we reap what we sow until we come to our senses ( Jeremiah 2:19 ) but He will intervene if needed as He did with Anne, when her sin almost lead her to suicide, He rescued her, but the flesh still needs to be put to death, it causes us to sin. ( Colossians 3:4-6 )
Lamentations 3: 33 For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Jeremiah 29 :11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 107: 8 – 9 Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Blessings
Ron
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Thanks Love and yes I do very much agree, it is very tiring when someone keeps complaining, as I have told you over and over again, I just can’t stand it, I wish people would not do it, they bug me no end, I feel like telling them they are wearing me thin, why they keep complaining I just don’t understand, don’t they realise that people get fed up, some just complain about anything, I really wish they would stop, people who complain about things, really have lost it!
Seriously though a great message Love, very thought provoking, really enjoyed the Manna, Manna, Manna, do you still have a copy of Moses cook book ??? 😀
Hopful Annie
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Thanks Anne for the nice words, sorry about the cookbook the CWA [ country womens association ] got hold of it and use it every day, in a Manna of speaking !
Cheers
Ron.
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Oh so true!! How easy it is to fall into complaining! Thanks for sharing, great post!
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Appreciate your visit Reality of Christ and the encouraging words, bless you
Ron.
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Hello, Ron. I love “Moses`s cook book 101 Ways to cook Manna!” 🙂 Oh, how that tongue can get us into trouble. Sometimes I think we need to leave our mouths at home!
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True Lady Deidre , I try to remember to take mouth out of gear when I walk outside, dont always succeed though ! Still Moses`s cook book were all kosher recipes anyway
Thanks
Ron.
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Thanks for reminding me my friend. Everyday I constantly battle temptations. I pray that I will have the strength to overcome it. I agree, everytime we resist it, we getter stronger but we need God’s help to do it. Inspiring post. Wishing you and Anne all the joys and blessings.
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Thanks Island Traveller always enjoy your posts, thanks for the kind words , in a sense I preach to myself and if someone else is blessed that`s a bonus ! Every blessing to you and your lovely family
Blessings
Ron.
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Great reminder Ron. Need this truth always before me. Thanks!
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Dont we all Donna , it`s in our errant nature, if God rained down upon us porterhouse steaks every day we would complain that there is no fish !I`, Isn`t good how He gets His truths through to us, a miracle in itself as His love always is.
Thanks Donna for your encouragement to me and to Anne too.
Blessings
Ron
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