Tempting Thoughts
Wednesday June 28, 2017
Many people face temptation by hoping that it will just disappear, but temptation will forever be part of life. We may get beyond a craving in one area only to find ourselves drawn down another path. The first step to winning the war against temptation is to realize that temptation comes from our own fleshy desires. However, with God’s help, we have the power to overcome temptation in whatever form it presents itself.
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15 NLT)
There are several actions we can take to avoid temptation. The first one is the most obvious: avoid those places and people that stir up tempting thoughts. We need to know our limitations. Empty time breeds thoughts and feelings that tempt us to harmful activities. We need to get serious about finding ways we can be involved in positive activities, gainful employment, or service to others.
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! (James 4:7; Matthew 26:41 NLT)
When we turn our will and our lives over to the care of God and accept new life through Jesus Christ, we become a new person. Under God’s protective care, old desires disappear and new desires are formed. Some of the old sinful "tapes" that play in our minds are hard to erase but by studying and memorizing God's Word, we can delete them and replace them with something new.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)
Prayer: Loving God, Help me to resist the tempting thoughts that pass the gate of my mind. My desire is to renew my mind by making it obedient to Christ. AMEN
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