The Lord Helps Us Escape Temptation

Sin is so prevalent in our lives if the Holy Spirit is not with us. Therefore, seek the Lord often, that you may be shielded. The enemy wants to take us down with him, by making things look so good on the outside. However, realize that his ploy against us is always superficial, while having a lot of defects along with it. Sure, you may find pleasure in the moment in what you are up to, but soon will come into your heart thoughts of regret, shame, guilt, and even sadness. Now, is it worth living a life where joy is not really there, but has to be substituted with our lust and covetousness for things? Of course not, and we will be accountable for such actions when it comes to God and judgment day. So please know that ¹“the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”, (John 10:10) However, Jesus also said that ¹“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10,11) So we have two choices to make. Either walk in the ways of the Lord or in the ways of the flesh, which leads to death and destruction. As Jesus said above, all the enemy wants to do is to destroy our chances of going to heaven, while giving us over to our fleshly urges. This is not good at all, and I pray that people will wake up to such filth in their lives, starting today. And the filth I am referring to is pornography, having sex outside of marriage, lusting after men or women, or even having homosexual thoughts. All of these things are abominable in the sight of God. Therefore, confession and turning away from such things is important for salvation.

Just today some really impure thoughts came into my mind, out of nowhere, while I was driving home. It was crazy. However, before those thoughts could get out of control and turn into sin, I prayed that Jesus would take every thought captive. I even said sorry for thinking about it for a few seconds, which made me feel really good inside. Now, in the past, I would have continued in those same evil thoughts until lust filled my heart and mind. Then, I would be given over to looking at pornography and fulfilling my sexual desires. However, there is armor in my life now and I can better able to defend what is evil in this world, even if I fell for it in the past. I have taken the counsel of Paul and it has worked out great in my life. He said, ²“finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

In life, we really need a sword and shield with us at all times, which is daily Bible study and prayer time with God. This is because the enemy is here and is not going away any time soon. Just as I was tempted today with impure thoughts, you are also templated on a daily basis. Some, more than others, depending on what you are giving yourselves over to on a day to day basis. Think about it. If you are listening to the wrong type of music, those lyrics are enough to make you want to do things you shouldn’t. Also, the shows and movies you watch can also lead you to commit fornication, which is having sex with your girlfriend or boyfriend. You may also want to slip away in private to watch some porn on your phone. Even the video games we play are so violent and often have sex scenes or immodest women in them, which leads to doing similar things during the game or after. Truly, you cannot be kept away from these kinds of sexual sins, unless you change what you do each day. The chances that you are tempted in this way is far less if you are often found reading the Bible, praying, or doing church ministry, like evangelizing. I will have to admit that this temptation came as a surprise to me today since I am often found reading the Bible, praying often, and doing ministry. However, I am not left out of being tempted, as are other Christians who are living out their faith. Now, what matters is what we do with these temptations. We can either act on them or give them to God. The latter is the best, but if you have slipped up, confess your sins to God. Allow the Lord to cleanse you through His blood. This is very important. But also strive to be doing God’s will at all times and you will find victory over sin.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, watch over us and protect us from the enemy. Don’t allow Satan to get the upper hand in our lives. We would rather walk in Your light, then to find darkness in our lives once again. And this day, we give all our impure thoughts over to You. And if we have slipped up and given our hearts and minds over to such evil thoughts, we are sorry. Please forgive us for falling flat on our faces. It is our desire to follow You and to find victory over the enemy. So fight the fight with us, that we may be shielded, because of our faith in You. May Your words always be in our hearts, that it may lead us to do things that are pleasing in Your sight. And we come to You in prayer because we love You more than anything. The flesh is just an obstacle, sometimes, to going all-in for you. For that reason, take away anything in our lives that You disapprove of. Even the things we give our eyes over to in TV, movies and video games. We are willing to give up watching and playing anything that doesn’t agree with Your standards. And with our music tastes, conform them to Yours, that we may be edified in the music we listen to and the TV we watch. And help us manage our time better. There is a time and a place for family time, but it is better to be serving You. So help us know when to stop what we are doing so that we can pray, read the Bible, or just go out and be used by You in ministry. We love You more than what the enemy and the world can offer. I’ve found joy that lasts, while in your presence. The best part is that I have no guilt when I am with You. Thank You, Lord. I trust in You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

John 10

¹John 10 (KJV)
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.

Ephesians 6

²Ephesians 6 (KJV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.