Lets talk about TEMPTATION: Temptation means Test. Its a test of the inner man by a power outside of us. Jesus was tempted and tested by the devil and did not become weary or exhausted. (Matt 4:1) He went through temptation without sin and kept his spiritual nature intact. That is our goal too. Temptation itself is not a sin, it something we are bound to face simply because we are on this earth. Temptation causes you to wonder if something is right or wrong- which in and of itself is not a sin..... but, when you yield to it, however, then it becomes a god. Let us not confuse BEING tempted with giving in to the temptation. I know too many people that say, every one sins, I am not perfect, I cannot help but give in. This is wrong thinking. Simply being tempted is not the problem, and as long as you are human, will face some level of temptation. When you choose to give in to the temptation, INSTEAD of yielding to God and asking him for help, then we start entering sin. Temptation can be good. It gives you an opportunity to choose the highest calling- intimacy with God over pleasure on the earth. Though I believe in being wise and making changes in your life to keep from temptations, and to allow God to lift us to a higher level, also know it is impossible to avoid ALL temptations. (James 1:14: Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his desires and enticed) We cannot run from temptations, and it is not a sin to be tempted (example: chocolate cake sitting in the break room) But we must learn to view temptations for what they are: A test of your spiritual man. Satan doesnt tempt us just to make us do wrong things- he tempts us to make us LOSE what God has given us through regeneration (and our value to God) He wants to shift our point of view from God TO the temptation. When we understand temptation this way ,then we dont just view it as chocolate cake, but rather as knowing that satans goal is to draw us away from God and to STEAL from us. Let this motivate us to draw even closer to God, knowing this temptations goal is to draw you away from God- that if given in, can damage your fellowship with him, and that you are choosing another god over him. We are daily being regenerated, and this will continue until Christ is FULLY developed in our lives. (Gal. 4:19) God does not save us from temptations, but he does sustain us in the midst of them. Jesus fully understands how it feels to be tempted, and we have an advocate (Hebrews 4:15) We must go to him in the midst of the temptation. We wear his name. esus Christs honor is at stake in our bodily lives- are we remaining faithful to him in everything that attacks his life in us? Whatever we must face, let us us abide with him through them. Be perfect, just as your father in heaven is perfect. - Temptations remind us that we are not perfect in nature, but we have a choice at this point to look to Jesus, letting him abide in our lives and the opportunity to use the test, to draw closer to God and allow our inner man to be strengthened by choosing to walk with God. Its not abut Good doing, but rather God-likeness If Gods spirit has transformed you within, you will exhibit his divine characteristics- allowing the supernatural to become natural as a result of his grace- Temptation can be a good thing when we look to Hebrews 2:18- Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is ABLE to HELP us when we are being tested and Hebrews 4:15-16 Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will find mercy and find grace to help us when we need it most. This is GREAT news! That means we can be tempted (whether it be with food, addictions, anger, unforgiveness, worry, fear, doubt, or anything not lining up with Gods word) but we have the power to NOT give in it it through the holy spirit, living within us. #kellythetrainer #livethelife
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 14:01:42 +0000
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