James 1: 16-17
Temptation is a bad thing. Satan is tethered to it, and it is customized and deceptively disguised. So what do we do with temptation? How can we handle it?
First of all, when you are tempted, remember the greatness of God. The whole thrust of this book is spiritual maturity, how to have an authentic faith. In order for a fish to become a giant fish, it has to let a lot of flies swim by. It doesn't do anything stupid. It passes up the bait and gets bigger and bigger. Spiritual maturity is like that. We have to let a lot of temptation flies swim by, and say, "No, that's not for me. I know God has the best for me." The moment we step outside of that and try to use our God-given desires in a God-forbidden way, watch out. There is only one who can truly satisfy, and that one is God. He cannot change for the worse because He is holy. He cannot change for the better because He is perfect. So if you know Christ personally, if you have a personal connection with God through Jesus, you have it all. So why look at anything else? Why go anywhere else? Why eat any other bait? Take the real food. Remember the greatness of God.
Take time to thank God for His greatness. What are some of His gifts to you?
#2
James 1:18
We've talked about a lot of things that help us overcome temptation. But, something else is necessary to overcome temptation. You have to be born again. Everyone has a physical birthday, and we all know that we had nothing to do with physical birth. We do not cause our own births. In the same way, we cannot cause our own spiritual re-birth. It is God who brings about the miracle of re-birth in our lives. When you are born again, it means that you are born into the family of God; and, once you are born into the family of God, you can't get out. (This is a good thing, not like Hotel California-esque at all -- Scott's added words)
On your own, there is no cleansing and forgiveness and purpose for living. There is no way you can handle temptation. The Spirit of God will take the Word of God and convict you, if you call sin what it is. At that time you need to turn from it, and ask Christ to take over your life. God will work the miracle of new birth in your life. Because of this second birth, you can have power within you to face any temptation.
In the Old Testament, the Jews gave their firstfruits as offerings of worship to God. When we are born again, we are the firstfruits, belonging especially to God. Remember this when you come into temptation. You are God's. Don't mess around with junk, don't take the bait with the hidden hook. Eat on His food and mature.
Describe your new-birth experience. Give thanks to God for the changes He has made in you. If you have not experienced this new birth, you can experience it right now by praying a prayer like this "God, I know I'm a sinner. I believe that Jesus died and rose again so that I could be part of the family of God. I believe this to the best of my ability and I want to apply it to my life. In Jesus' name, Amen."
I like the analogy of the small fish passing up a lot of flies and bait...it puts spiritual growth into a pretty tangible perspective. Also, "God given desires for God-forbidden ways..." wow. Thank God for God. I know I couldn't get past any of these without Him.
ReplyDelete