Temptations

James 1:[14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.


A temptation is anything that lures you in, teases you, tempts you, drags you down, tests your self-control.
Everyone has a different temptation. Imagine temptations just in the realm of food. A huge bag of popcorn means nothing to me. I rarely ever want that. BUT you may love it. I eat chocolate like it is going out of style. I know people who never want chocolate. I think you get the point.

Now, lets think spiritually... Cigarettes, dirty magazines, movies, songs, alcohol, sex, swearing, drugs, suicide, etc. These are all things that tempt people or that various people have to deal with. Maybe you have one of these, none of these, or multiple ones. We are all different. It is good for you to know what tempts you because trust me, the devil does! He wants to tear you down, therefore He will put exactly what hurts you in your way.

If Satan knows that Sally is a habitual drinker. He might tempt her by offering a job at a bar, getting a cute boy to offer her a drink, etc. It is necessary for us to be ready for the devil to use our weaknesses against us.

Now, the bad news is over. We realize that Satan knows our weakness and uses it against us. We know his tricks. How to we avoid them? Here are some scriptures to help you deal with it. YOU cannot do it alone. But with Christ, you can do anything! (Philippians 4:13)

• 2 Peter 2:[9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
• 1 Cor. 10:[13] 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.
• Mark 14:[38] Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Also, Read the book of James whenever you are feeling tempted. It is an excellent source of strength for these situations.

Dear God, help me to resist the devil and remain close to you. Help me to battle my weakness with Your strength, for that is the only way I will be able to overcome.

-Destiny Turner