Search
Like/Tweet/+1
Latest topics
Top posting users this week
No user |
Most active topic starters
Sonshine | ||||
amybyrd21 | ||||
12acrehome | ||||
Rohn | ||||
PATRICE IN IL | ||||
My1SqueakyShoe | ||||
7dawn | ||||
Harvey_Birdman | ||||
Mississippi Momma | ||||
dizzy |
Temptations are itchy!
2 posters
Page 1 of 1
Temptations are itchy!
Taken from "Girlfriends in God"
Today’s Truth
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed” (James 1:13-14 NIV).
Friend To Friend
I once woke up with a spider bite that was the size of a quarter. It may as well have been the size of North Carolina for as much as it itched! I was half-tempted to scratch off my arm. That nasty bite was just begging to be scratched. However, I have learned a thing or two in my thirty-something years, and one thing I know for sure: it is best not to scratch this type of itch.
It would be like opening a bag of chips with the naive intention of eating only one (yeah, right!) I knew that if I started scratching my bug bite, it would be nearly impossible to stop. I would regret having ever started.
Super-itchy bug bites are a lot like temptations. Temptations are itchy! The call on us with urgent voices that scream, “Scratch me! Scratch me!” Yet, in all reality, a little scratch will not satisfy temptation’s itch at all…it will just make matters worse. When we scratch the itch of temptation, the itch does not diminish. To the contrary, it increases.
The Bible teaches us that when we resist temptation, our faith is then mobilized and the muscles of our character are strengthened. Let’s look at what that looked like for a guy named Joseph. (For the full account, pause here and read Genesis 39.)
Joseph was a man of integrity who did right in the eyes of the Lord, but he definitely faced some temptation! He was seduced by temptation in the form of his master’s wife, Mrs. Potiphar. You see, Mrs. Potiphar wanted her husband’s right-hand man to sleep with her, and she pursued him with aggression. Hers was a hand-delivered invitation for Joseph to sin that had itchy written all over it. But he flat-out refused. His heart was determined to honor God.
“My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her (Genesis 39:9-10).
Temptation chased Joseph relentlessly. Oh, how he must have longed for the itching to stop! To give in would be sinful. To give in was simply not an option for this young man of character. So on the day that Potiphar’s wife caught him by the cloak and begged again for Joseph to sleep with her, Joseph ran out of the house. He ran from that tempting situation as fast as his legs would carry him.
God was honored in Joseph’s response.
He ran from temptation.
We would be wise to do the same.
What do you need to run from today? Have you determined in your heart to honor God in everything? Temptation comes in all shapes and sizes. It might be calling your name from your pantry – or from your computer – or from a bottle - or from another cubicle in your office. What temptations do you face today? Name them and run the other way! Don’t scratch that itch! Determine in your heart that you will choose the path that brings honor to God, and call on Him for strength.
I realize that dealing with temptation is not easy. When that nasty spider bit my arm, I struggled not to scratch the bite. I had to re-direct my thinking to persevere through the temptation. When we come face to face with temptations, God’s strength is always available to us. We need God’s strength. Ours will fail us. Friend, when we resist temptation, we get to experience the peace and protection of God, our faith is mobilized and the muscles of our character are strengthened.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I need You so much. I constantly find myself being dragged away and enticed by temptation. Please give me strength to run the other way, and give me the wisdom to run to Your arms. I want to be a woman of godly character. Help me be that woman!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Contemplate the following questions: What have you been dragged away and enticed by in the past? How did you respond? How have you grown from those experiences?
Though our sovereign God allows trials to enter our lives, He does not ever tempt us. (James 1) Tuck that truth in your heart today, and the next time you experience a temptation – great or small – recognize that the enemy is behind the allure. Then tell him to get behind you and pray that Jesus will re-direct your thinking.
Read and memorize Psalm 105:4: “Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.”
More From The Girlfriends
I wish my temptations were always as simple as the itch of a pesky little bug bite! But, of course, they are not. Each of us will encounter some real whoppers in our lives. James chapter one tells us that when we persevere through trials and temptations, one rewards is maturity. That really encourages me! I hope it encourages you as well.
Today’s Truth
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed” (James 1:13-14 NIV).
Friend To Friend
I once woke up with a spider bite that was the size of a quarter. It may as well have been the size of North Carolina for as much as it itched! I was half-tempted to scratch off my arm. That nasty bite was just begging to be scratched. However, I have learned a thing or two in my thirty-something years, and one thing I know for sure: it is best not to scratch this type of itch.
It would be like opening a bag of chips with the naive intention of eating only one (yeah, right!) I knew that if I started scratching my bug bite, it would be nearly impossible to stop. I would regret having ever started.
Super-itchy bug bites are a lot like temptations. Temptations are itchy! The call on us with urgent voices that scream, “Scratch me! Scratch me!” Yet, in all reality, a little scratch will not satisfy temptation’s itch at all…it will just make matters worse. When we scratch the itch of temptation, the itch does not diminish. To the contrary, it increases.
The Bible teaches us that when we resist temptation, our faith is then mobilized and the muscles of our character are strengthened. Let’s look at what that looked like for a guy named Joseph. (For the full account, pause here and read Genesis 39.)
Joseph was a man of integrity who did right in the eyes of the Lord, but he definitely faced some temptation! He was seduced by temptation in the form of his master’s wife, Mrs. Potiphar. You see, Mrs. Potiphar wanted her husband’s right-hand man to sleep with her, and she pursued him with aggression. Hers was a hand-delivered invitation for Joseph to sin that had itchy written all over it. But he flat-out refused. His heart was determined to honor God.
“My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her (Genesis 39:9-10).
Temptation chased Joseph relentlessly. Oh, how he must have longed for the itching to stop! To give in would be sinful. To give in was simply not an option for this young man of character. So on the day that Potiphar’s wife caught him by the cloak and begged again for Joseph to sleep with her, Joseph ran out of the house. He ran from that tempting situation as fast as his legs would carry him.
God was honored in Joseph’s response.
He ran from temptation.
We would be wise to do the same.
What do you need to run from today? Have you determined in your heart to honor God in everything? Temptation comes in all shapes and sizes. It might be calling your name from your pantry – or from your computer – or from a bottle - or from another cubicle in your office. What temptations do you face today? Name them and run the other way! Don’t scratch that itch! Determine in your heart that you will choose the path that brings honor to God, and call on Him for strength.
I realize that dealing with temptation is not easy. When that nasty spider bit my arm, I struggled not to scratch the bite. I had to re-direct my thinking to persevere through the temptation. When we come face to face with temptations, God’s strength is always available to us. We need God’s strength. Ours will fail us. Friend, when we resist temptation, we get to experience the peace and protection of God, our faith is mobilized and the muscles of our character are strengthened.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I need You so much. I constantly find myself being dragged away and enticed by temptation. Please give me strength to run the other way, and give me the wisdom to run to Your arms. I want to be a woman of godly character. Help me be that woman!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Contemplate the following questions: What have you been dragged away and enticed by in the past? How did you respond? How have you grown from those experiences?
Though our sovereign God allows trials to enter our lives, He does not ever tempt us. (James 1) Tuck that truth in your heart today, and the next time you experience a temptation – great or small – recognize that the enemy is behind the allure. Then tell him to get behind you and pray that Jesus will re-direct your thinking.
Read and memorize Psalm 105:4: “Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.”
More From The Girlfriends
I wish my temptations were always as simple as the itch of a pesky little bug bite! But, of course, they are not. Each of us will encounter some real whoppers in our lives. James chapter one tells us that when we persevere through trials and temptations, one rewards is maturity. That really encourages me! I hope it encourages you as well.
Re: Temptations are itchy!
I get GIG every day. This was one of the best ones that I've read in a while.
Beanie- Posts : 39
Join date : 2011-09-05
Age : 63
Location : Lewisville, NC
Re: Temptations are itchy!
I love their devotionals. I also get David Wilkerson's. His son continued sending them out after Wilkerson passed away. I missed seeing you yesterday.
Re: Temptations are itchy!
Me too!!! I'm glad they continue on with David's legacy.
I have a question - is it ok if we put a devotional in the Bible Study area?
I wrote a devotional for a while for our lady's group and I'd love to share it.
I have a question - is it ok if we put a devotional in the Bible Study area?
I wrote a devotional for a while for our lady's group and I'd love to share it.
Beanie- Posts : 39
Join date : 2011-09-05
Age : 63
Location : Lewisville, NC
Re: Temptations are itchy!
Beanie, I would love for you to share some devotionals. I would really like to find someone to take over the Bible study forum. I've been out of commission for awhile and am trying to get the forums active again. The person who was going to moderate this forum has not posted in a long time. So the days that I'm able to I've tried to post here. This section is dear to my heart. I was a Children's pastor for many years but had to give it up due to my health. So Christian Homesteaders is now my ministry, and studying God's word is the most important aspect of homesteading, because it's the most important aspect of life. So please, feel free to post your devotionals. I look forward to reading them.
Re: Temptations are itchy!
thank you!
I'm a pastor's wife and I love to share inspiring messages with ways to take in the word.
I'm a pastor's wife and I love to share inspiring messages with ways to take in the word.
Beanie- Posts : 39
Join date : 2011-09-05
Age : 63
Location : Lewisville, NC
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Mon Jun 11, 2018 2:24 am by michae1
» Facebook page
Sun Feb 11, 2018 9:19 am by dizzy
» Hilarious video A little garden fun by the cowboy poet Baxter Black
Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:54 am by mountainmama
» An Insurrection Coming
Sat Apr 16, 2016 6:52 am by 12acrehome
» Patrice's Patch Garden Journal
Sat Apr 02, 2016 8:47 am by PATRICE IN IL
» lambs and ewes
Wed Mar 23, 2016 11:46 pm by Farmfresh
» Irish Cuisine Class/Demonstration Recipes
Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:13 am by PATRICE IN IL
» Prayer request for my dh's aunt
Fri Mar 04, 2016 8:55 pm by PATRICE IN IL
» How has your day been and what's for dinner...................
Mon Feb 29, 2016 5:43 am by PATRICE IN IL