Tuesday, July 9, 2019

When…not If.


Memory Verse:
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

When you are tempted…. When…Not if! We can all expect to be tempted. We’re human…it is going to happen. I know that the when for me is a daily battle. I continually slip into the temptation to consider…if I’d made other choices, life would be different. But then I remember that God has a plan for me…and my family, friends and homeland are part of His plan—since He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. Even when temptation comes knocking at my door…God is faithful. I can count on Him to be with me…and stay with me…and to make a way of escape.


Temptation began with Eve and Adam…and then it continued with their sons. For us…like Cain…sin is crouching at our door. Crouching there ready to spring out and grab us.
Later she (Eve) gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:2-7
God warned Cain…and thus each of us… But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. Again, it is our choice that makes a difference in our life. We have the choice to do what is right and subdue that sin, the temptation to do wrong. Maybe it is not you that is on the verge of sin, but maybe it is another Christian. When he wrote to the church at Galatia, Paul gave some good advice on encouraging others and not falling into the same temptation.
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
Share each other’s burdens—but remember that sin is crouching at your door…so don’t get caught up in some seeming innocent temptation that others are experiencing and that is now taunting you. When…not if.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Prayer ~ Lord God, help me to remember, when I am tempted, not to say, "God is tempting me." For You, God, never tempt anyone. James 1:13. Thank You for Your promises, Your faithfulness and Your unending love.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 1-4

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Follow And Like "Banquet With The King" on Facebook. 👍

No comments: