Thursday November 23rd, 2023
Meditate on Matthew 5:28 NKJV
« But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. »
Read James 1:12-16 GNT
12 Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.
13 If we are tempted by such trials, we must not say, “This temptation comes from God.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
14 But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires.
15 Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Do not be deceived, my dear friends!
Every temptation that a person yields to will lead to a bigger one.
This is why many people are deep in sins they once vowed never to commit.
The fall happens slowly until the individual is completely submerged in sin.
The devil lures believers into sin so as to destroy them. This is his goal.
To achieve this, he comes in subtle ways.
First, with thoughts and seemingly harmless sins, focusing on the heart.
He knows that if the heart can fall, it is only a matter of time before the body falls too. Proverbs 14:14 ESV says:
« The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways »
Your spiritual destiny would be determined by your decision to either accommodate or expel the subtle suggestions of the devil.
When you start thinking of being in bed with a woman who is not your wife or you start spending money that is not your own, that is the devil trying to get you to fall, using your heart first.
The devil could also try to cut you away from the people who helped you grow in the faith.
When you consider the story of Samson, you will discover that he spent most of his time outside Israel.
If the devil can successfully separate you from people who helped you grow spiritually, and your prayer life begins to wax cold; before long, you would stop studying your Bible and start permitting sin in your life.
This is why you must never forsake the fellowship of the brethren (Hebrews 10:25, Proverbs 27:17).
You may have yielded to temptation in the past; the good news is that restoration is possible.
Though Samson fell, he was restored to the Lord before his death; so much so that he was listed among the fathers of faith in Hebrews 11:1-40. Proverbs 28:13 GNT says:
« You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. »
If you would confess your sins, forsake them and rededicate your life (for backsliders), God is willing to accept you.
Application – Check your life. Are you yielding to the lure of the devil already? God is able to restore you if only you would ask Him for help.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it .
Spread the love of Christ by clicking on the ♥
Copingwords@gmail.com
