STAY STRONG

Temptation is a word that I have come to really dislike. The bible tells us that temptation is something satan uses against us to cause us to fall back into sin. You will find some good verses about it in the first chapter of James.

James 1:13-15 (New Living Translation) ¹³ And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. ¹⁴ Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. ¹⁵ These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

What do you do when you find yourself being tempted? Do you sit and listen to satan and his lies? Or do you think...I can handle this, it won't effect me. Or maybe you tell satan...BACK OFF! I'm not going to listen to you. You tell him you are a chld of GOD and you won't let him win. Turn your back on him and the temptation. Then...you pray, ask the LORD for help and read your bible. That's what you need to do. Stay Strong!!

1 Peter 5:8-9 (New Living Translation)

⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

The truth is...we don't always do that. We get a bit careless sometimes thinking that everything is good. Sometimes satan leaves us alone for awhile and we become lax in our defenses. Then, just when we think we have it all under control, he's in our face with it! IT being whatever our biggest weakness is. Satan knows it as well as you do and he's not afraid to use it against you. I have had a lot of experience with temptation as I'm sure everyone has. Satan is the master when it comes to throwing temptations in our path. He will use anything he can to get us to fall back into our old life styles. Lately, I have had some real issues with temptation. I don't like to admit it, but I really gave some thought to letting satan win. If you don't immediately ask GOD for help, and really pray and read the word, you could lose the battle. Satan will use all kinds of things against you, anything at all to put a seed of doubt in your mind. Then once those doubts are in place, and your feeling alone, he starts putting thoughts in your head. He'll tell you to go ahead and give in. Just one time isn't going to hurt anything. You'll be okay. He lies! One time might not send you to hell, but it will put you back on the path JESUS saved you from. If you go there once, who's to say you won't go there again. You have to be strong and not listen. You have to pray and reach out for JESUS. For me, the longer I wait to do that, the worse it gets. I wait because I listen to what satan is telling me instead of telling him to get away from me. Then after I listen for awhile I start to believe it. Then it's like a downward spiral. What we all have to remember to do is...

James 4:7-8 (New Living Translation)

⁷ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

If you completely put your trust in JESUS, HE won't let you down. GOD cares more about you than anyone does. HE cares about every fear, anxiety or concern you will ever have. JESUS is waiting for you to bring them all to HIM. With HIS help we can defeat the devils schemes. JESUS has already paid the price for our victory over the devil when He died on the cross for us. This warfare that we are engaged in is somtimes really tough. What we need to do to win is to put on the Armor of GOD.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (New Living Translation)

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

STAY STRONG and help your sisters and brothers in CHRIST to stay strong.