Our Defense Against Temptation, Part 5

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:6-9

A great deterrent to sin is the realization that Jesus is ever present in the life of the believer. George Stebbins caught this concept well in his hymn, “In the Secret of His Presence.” In part he says:

“Only this I know: I tell Him all my doubts,
my griefs and fears.
Oh, how patiently He listens!
And my drooping soul He cheers.
Do you think He never reproves me?
What a false friend He would be,
If He never, never told me of the sins
which He must see.

Would you like to know the sweetness
of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow:
this shall then be your reward;
And whenever you leave the silence of
that happy meeting place,
You must mind and bear the image of
the Master in your face.”

If with every thought and action, we were to have the image of Christ imprinted in our heart and mind, how simple it would be to walk in a righteous and an upright manner, overcoming temptation’s appeal. What place does Christ hold in your life? Is His image ever before you?

Be sure to find those scriptural reminders with power and authority for your times of temptation.

Our Defense Against Temptation, Part 4

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”  Ephesians 5:18-21

What are the keys to building our defense against yielding to the pressure of temptation? Consider these.
1. Being spiritually alert.
2. Making your prayers God-centered.
3. Using God’s Word.
4. Having a spirit of humility.
5. Fleeing from temptation.
6. Resisting by faith.
7. Being accountable to another.
8. Putting on spiritual armor.
9. Affirming your position in Christ.

Words of instruction from men of old prove temptation’s universal character. Here is what some of them had to say concerning temptation:

“Learn to say no; it will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin.” -Charles Spurgeon

“Temptations that find us dwelling in God are to our faith like winds that more firmly root the tree.” -Anonymous

“Fire tries iron, and temptation tries a just man.” -Thomas á Kempis

“Where there is no temptation, there can be little claim to virtue.” -William H. Prescott

“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.” 
Psalm 3:5-6

Our Defense Against Temptation, Part 3

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 
1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Our successful defense against Satan’s temptations can be built upon a fourfold foundation. Each is followed with an appropriate Scripture reference. Read them and find within them your source for courage, purpose, and direction when confronting temptation’s power.

First: We must learn to respond to temptation with the Word of God. Memorize it. Jesus knew the wisest, most immediate response to temptation was to quote a verse of Scripture that dealt with the exact temptation with which Satan was tempting Him (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 8:4-15).

Second: We must develop a spirit of humility - a continuous realizing that we absolutely and totally dependent upon God (1 Peter 5:5-9).

Third: We must resist temptation in faith (Ephesians 6:11-12;
James 4:6-7).

Fourth: We must learn how to flee from temptation
(1 Corinthians 6:17-20, 10:12-14; 1 Timothy 6:9-11;
2 Timothy 2:22-23).
                           
Thank God that He has given us the victory to overcome the world, Satan, and even death itself. Our victory? The cross of Christ.

One - Two - Three - Four: These are the ways to develop a good defense against temptation.

Our Defense Against Temptation, Part 2

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 
1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Let the timeless expressions of the hymn writer provide encouragement and guidance for your point of trial today:

“Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

Shun evil companions, bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

To him that overcometh, God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Savior, our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
                                                            - H.R. Palmer

“A good offense is the best defense.”
Perhaps trite - but nonetheless true.

Our Defense Against Temptation

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 
1 Corinthians 10:12-13

According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, it is a common thing to experience temptation. We all face it from time to time, some more often or more intensely than others. What is your defense when temptation comes?

From Scripture, we have a premise with which to face all temptation. All temptation has a divinely designed limitation set upon it. When we begin to deal with our temptations from that point of view, they lose their overwhelming appearance and are cut down to the size which faith in God can overcome.

A life of victory over temptation takes effort, dedication, and sometimes just plain, hard work. It’s not always easy to resist temptation. Paul addressed this reality when writing to the Roman Christians. He said, “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14).

Don’t allow yourself to side with temptation in any form. Get rid of any physical objects which tempt you to sin. Clean house. Defend yourself, Christian.

Wisdom requires that we develop a defense against temptations that beset us.

A Tool of the Tempter

“The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, ‘I am pregnant.’ Then David sent to Joab, saying, ‘Send me Uriah the Hittite.’ So Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked concerning the welfare of Joab and the people and the state of the war. Then David said to Uriah, ‘Go down to your house, and wash your feet.’ And Uriah went out of the king’s house, and a present from the king was sent out after him. But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. Now when they told David, saying, ‘Uriah did not go down to his house,’ David said to Uriah, ‘Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?’ Uriah said to David, ‘The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing.’ Then David said to Uriah, ‘Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you go.’ So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. Now David called him, and he ate and drank before him, and he made him drunk; and in the evening he went out to lie on his bed with his lord’s servants, but he did not go down to his house.

Now in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. He had written in the letter, saying, ‘Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.’ So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men. The men of the city went out and fought against Joab, and some of the people among David’s servants fell; and Uriah the Hittite also died.”  2 Samuel 11:5-17

Not always is our greatest problem associated with temptation in the area of resisting or combating its pressure. There are times when we are in danger of actually tempting someone else to sin against God.

This is a whole different sphere of the temptation issue but one with which every believer needs to reckon. Am I ever guilty of being “A Tool of the Tempter;” or am I ever tempted or drawn to tempt another person (especially another Christian) to commit sin?

Although we may not want to admit, we all have the potential of bringing another person down in his spiritual life. Our words and our actions sometimes carry far more weight than we realize; and it should be remembered that our example is a powerful tool either for good or evil.

There’s a statement which reflects this thought rather well. When our actions don’t match up to our words, remember this statement which could be made by those watching you: “I can’t hear you when you act that way.”

Make the prayer of your life to be that others may truly see Christ in you and that you will never be guilty of leading others into temptation. Let the example of your life draw others into the joy of knowing Christ.

How Do You Influence Others?

“And said, ‘Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!’”  Matthew 18:3-7

All of us (if we are honest) will admit that we know what it is to be tempted. We have all had to face the ordeal of choosing either to give in to temptation’s appeal or stand firmly against it, fighting to maintain a life of obedience to Christ.

But there is another side to temptation, and that’s when a person sides with an evil and entices others to sin. Jesus had some of His harshest words to say to those who would take this position in life, causing others to stumble spiritually, emotionally, or morally.
       
But before we being to point the finger at those who are in violation of this standard, we should first look at ourselves:

- Am I ever guilty of just going along with the “gang” - even when I know it’s not right - simply because I want to be accepted or I can’t take the pressure of being different or not appreciated?

- Have I verbally or nonverbally encouraged another to go against what I know is right?

- Am I guilty of causing anyone to stumble by my negligence or lack of concern?

“Lord, help me to see that my life is always an example. May I lead others to love and trust You as they see You in me.”

For good - or for evil? You have the opportunity everyday to exert your influence either way.

Before You Yield, Ask Yourself..., Part 2

“It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?’” Genesis 39:7-9

Of Joseph’s fiery trial at the hands of his master’s wife, Charles Spurgeon had this to say:

“Like a wise warrior, he knew that in such a case fleeing was the better part of valor. Oh, I saw in the annals of heroism there is not one that shall surpass this. You know it is opportunity that makes a man criminal; and he had abundant opportunity; but importunity will drive most men astray. To be haunted day by day by solicitations of the softest kind - to be tempted hour by hour - oh! It needs a strength super-angelic, a might more than human, a strength which only God can grant, for a young man thus to cleanse his way, and take heed thereto according to God’s Word.

He might have reasoned within himself, ‘should I submit and yield, there lies before me a life of ease and pleasure; I shall be exalted, I shall be rich. She shall prevail over her husband, to cover me with honors; but would I still adhere to my integrity, I shall be cast into prison, I shall be thrown into the dungeon; there awaits me nothing but shame and disgrace.’

Oh, there was a power indeed within that heart of his; there was an inconceivable might, which made him turn away with unutterable disgust, with fear and trembling. ‘Other men might, but how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?’”

God grants supernatural strength to those desiring it when faced with the strongest temptations.

Before You Yield, Ask Yourself...

“It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?’” Genesis 39:7-9

“How can I do this great evil and sin against God?” When you are in the middle of the heat of temptation, are you thinking clearly, or are you focusing on the object of your temptation? A wise person will prepare for temptation because (as we have discovered) it is unavoidable.

You can avoid yielding to temptation if you will think soberly and ask the right questions. So when facing temptation, bring yourself into check long enough to ask yourself -

1. Is this temptation a violation of the Scriptures?

2. What have been the consequences in the lives of other people who yielded to this sin?

3. If I yield to this sin, how will it affect me?

4. Am I willing to pay the consequences of yielding to this temptation?

5. Will yielding to this temptation satisfy me or only stir up stronger desires?

6. Is yielding to this temptation a wise decision or a foolish one?

7. How can I do this great evil and sin against God?

These questions literally defuse the bomb of temptation in the life of the child of God who chooses to live in obedience to the expressed will of God the Father. Temptation is best faced when careful preparation has been undertaken. Ask these 7 vital questions.

Lay it on the Altar

“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your dwelling places.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.” 
Psalm 43:3-4   

Not found in many of our more recent hymn books are these soul-searching, questioning verses of Elisha A. Hoffman:

“You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase,
And you have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blest
Until all the alter is laid.

Would you walk with the Lord in the light of Hi s Word,
And have peace and contentment alway?
You must do His sweet will to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.

Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart, does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest and have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.”   

A root of rebellion can mar your entire life and is the unexpected source of sexual sin.

Playing with Fire

“For on account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread,
And an adulteress hunts for the precious life.
Can a man take fire in his bosom
And his clothes not be burned?
Or can a man walk on hot coals
And his feet not be scorched?
So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
Whoever touches her will not go unpunished.
Men do not despise a thief if he steals
To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold;
He must give all the substance of his house.
The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense;
He who would destroy himself does it.”  Proverbs 6:26-32

If you toy with the temptation of sexual indulgence, sooner or later you are going to get burned. The downfall of Samson’s life stemmed from an unrestrained lifestyle of seeking sexual pleasure at the expense of the testimony of the nation of Israel - and at the expense of the very safety of the whole nation (Judea 13-16).

Although Samson was one of the judges of Israel, he allowed a root of rebellion to mar his entire life, destroying his effectiveness as a national leader. The root of all sexual immorality is rebellion.

How to deal with temptation is a critical issue for the child of God to grasp and successfully implement in daily life. This series of daily devotions can free you from misunderstandings concerning temptation, give powerful guidelines for your defense against temptation’s destructive pull, and provide encouragement as God’s truths and promises regarding His almighty aid come into light.

God’s divine plan is to undergird each believer with the overcoming power to live life to the glory of God! Is He glorified when you “play with the fire” of sexual indulgence? Paul teaches us to “glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20).

“Can a man take fire in his bosom
And his clothes not be burned?” Proverbs 6:27

At the Peak of Pressure, Part 2

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.  Matthew 4:1-11

It’s all too true in our experience that Satan often doesn’t give up when we successfully resist his first effort to tempt us to sin. But there is a way to stand against that pressure. Look at Jesus’ response to Satan’s three pressure-packed temptations. In each instance, His response was to say, “It is written!”

Can you see the importance of Jesus’ line of defense? If Jesus, being God in the flesh, resorted to using the Word of God as His defense against Satan’s temptations, how much more should we, who are earthly, sin prone children of God, depend upon God’s Word.

What area of your life comes under attack on a regular basis? What is your point of weakness? Where do you tend to give in to the pressure of sin’s appeal?

Go to God’s Word and find what God says about those areas of your life. Hold firmly to those Scriptures which speak especially to your heart. Memorize those verses, and have them on hand when temptation begins to battle your will to resist.

We all face temptation, but praise God, He has not left us to stand in our own righteousness but has already won each battle for us. Build your memory arsenal with the unchanging, powerful Word of God.

At the Peak of Pressure

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.  Matthew 4:1-11

Those who submit to temptation’s appeal on the basis that being tempted is the same as yielding to temptation have never faced the truth of Jesus’ temptation. Those who believe that if God were all powerful, He would not allow them to be tempted, have never really faced the truth of Jesus’ temptation. Those who claim there is no real defense against temptation’s onslaught have missed the key to Jesus’ successful fight against His greatest temptation from Satan.

Much is to be learned by a careful analysis and study of the temptation of Christ. His humanity caused Him to be susceptible to the emotions, thoughts, and feelings of any man or woman. Yet He was successful in thwarting Satan’s “best shots” because He never forgot Who He was or why He was here. You, too, can stand successful at the end of period of temptation if you’ll implement the principles which Jesus used in His hour of trial. He stood on the Word of God.

The Appeal

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.  Genesis 3:1-7

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate...” (Gen. 3:6). What temptation has the strongest appeal in your life?

The very first reference in the Bible to Satan is that he is crafty. He craftily approached Eve in an unsuspecting manner in an attempt to cause her to go against the standard which God had declared. He still uses the same technique today, and men and women succumb to his temptation.

Look at the pattern in your own life. Watch how Satan appeals to you. He twists the truth, perverting it into a deadly lie. One of Satan’s greatest tempting tools is to question God’s Word or God’s authority: “If God is loving, would He withhold something from you that could make you happy?”

How we need to have discerning ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to weigh the persuasive and beguiling lies of the enemy! Satan’s appeal to our fleshly desires always comes with a promise to meet a need some way other than God’s way. Read John’s admonition in 1 John 2:15-16. Then ask God to heighten your awareness of temptation’s appeal.

A match for the craftiness of the evil one? Only by the Holy Spirit’s power.

Who is to Blame?, Part 2

“James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:1-4

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  James 1:12

As the pen of James the Apostle graced that rough, ancient paper, his keen insights into God’s absolute truths came to light. His words immediately reflect Jesus’ own words from the Sermon on the Mount. Christ’s principles had been translated into life itself for James.

This one who could consider the trials of life a joy must either have been cruelly misdirected or must have had a different view of life. How far from many of our own contemporary thoughts regarding trials, temptations, and difficult conditions are these precious admonitions from James. His key was that he saw far beyond the present trial to the effect it would have on his life; it would build the character of endurance. His was a faith that endured; a perfect faith which was complete.

How often do we catch ourselves with unvoiced prayers for greater faith or chiding ourselves for having so little faith? Faith, like an athlete’s ability, is strengthened through exercise. Our faith is exercised in trials and in temptation!

There’s a monumental promise in James 1:12: “Blessed is a man (or woman) who perseveres under trial; for once he (she) has been approved, he (she) will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Can’t you hear James say, “Hang in there!”? Not a bad interpretation of verse 1:12.

Who is to Blame?

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”  James 1:12-17

“In the Scriptures the devil is called the tempter, and other things may sometimes concur to tempt us; but neither the devil nor any other person or thing is to be blamed so as to excuse ourselves; for the true original of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. The combustible matter is in us, though the flame may be blown up by some outward causes.

The word translated enticed signifies being beguiled by allurements and deceitful representations of things. There is a great deal of violence done to the conscience and to the mind by the power of corruption; and there is a great deal of cunning and deceit and flattery in sin to gain us to its interests. The force and power of sin could never prevail, were it not for its cunning and guile.”
                                                                                                 - Matthew Henry

Who is to blame? Can we blame the devil for tempting us? Can we blame our circumstances? Can we dare blame God? Clearly, we have ourselves to blame for our response to temptation’s “cunning and guile.”

There is no excusing ourselves at the point of temptation.

Share It!

“And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Hush, be still.’ And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.” 
Mark 4:37-39

“As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, ‘Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”  Mark 5:18-20

Before you became a child of God, your name was not written in the Lamb’s book of life. You were on your way to eternal torment, separated from God; there was nothing good in you, no holiness, no righteousness. You were nothing.

But by the grace of a loving Father and by His omnipotent power, He reached out to you in your sinfulness (vile wickedness), forgave you of your sin, and cleaned up your life. He wrote your name in the Lamb’s book of life, filled you with the Holy Spirit, reconciled you unto Himself, and made you a child of God! Friend, nothing greater will ever happen to you!

Here’s what you do with great blessings from God - you share them; you give them away. And as you do, they grow deeper within you. The more you give your blessings away (that is, share your life with others, tell your testimony of God’s saving grace), the greater it is multiplies in your own life.

Has God calmed a troubled sea that raged in your heart? Has He
done a transforming work in your spirit, and much like the Gerasene demoniac, you now know His peace and tranquility? Don’t keep
the faith - share it!

Is your life an overflowing and endless source of God’s blessing to others?

What to do with God’s Blessings

“They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, ‘What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God, do not torment me!’ For He had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!’”  Mark 5:1-8

“They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the ‘legion’; and they became frightened. Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine. And they began to implore Him to leave their region. As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, ‘Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.’And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”  Mark 5:15-20

When God pours out his blessing in the lives of His children, there often is an overflow which touches the lives of those who are around that believer. We should be mindful that God’s blessings are not for our benefit alone but to stand as an example and testimony to those outside the “family.”

Today it is the natural and prevalent mindset to hoard all that we have (all that we receive) and use it for our benefit alone, with no thought for others who may be in need. But do you realize that God wants us to be channels through whom He can pour His blessing out to others?

The true character of one who says they love God is reflected in their view or attitude toward God’s blessings. The Christian’s whole mindset ought to be so out of step with the world around them. The Gerasene demoniac whom Jesus healed gave testimony of God’s transforming, healing work in his life, and the result was that people marveled!
       
“Dear God, may the expression of Your love through me leave others hungry to know You, thirsty to drink of Your soothing, refreshing truth, yearning to draw near to You and experience for themselves the wonder of Your grace. Show Yourself through me with such clarity that they see Jesus only. Amen.”

Do you hoard God’s blessings or are you a conduit to others?

Can You Get Away with Sin?

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:7-8

Three applicants stood before a wealthy man, seeking to secure the position of chauffeur. To the first, he asked, “If you were driving my car through a winding, mountainous stretch of road, how close to the edge do you think you could get?”

The first applicant, quickly assessing the question, said, “I’d drive with the wheel right on the yellow line, sir.” Applicant two was given an opportunity to answer the same question. Feeling the need for boldness, he stated, “I’d drive so close to the edge that the guard rails would rub the side of the car.” Fearing all was lost anyway, applicant three stammered out his honest feelings: “I’d drive on the other side of the road, sir.”

Applicant three got the job! In phrasing the question to appeal to danger, chance, and risk, the man quickly saw the real heart of each applicant. What he really wanted was a man who would protect what he was keeping. How close to sin or a sinful lifestyle are you trying to get? Or, like David, are you trying to get close to the Lord your God?

Don’t lose heart. In due season we shall reap if we do not grow weary.

You Will Reap What You Sow

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:7-8

“Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). A man (or woman) reaps what he sows, more than he sows, later than he sows. What kind of seed are you sowing in your life? How many times have you heard someone flippantly say, “He’s just sowing his wild oats”? You see, wild oats are worthless, undesirable.

Again, what kind of seed are you sowing in your life? Seeds of forgiveness? Seeds of blessing? Seeds of mercy? Seeds of truth? Or are you sowing seeds of gossip, anger, hatred, sensuality, greed, selfishness...?

A better question: What kind of crop do you want to reap from the investment of your life? Do you want to reap a crop of hatred? How about a crop of slander or gossip? Wouldn’t that be fulfilling? Yet how many days are filled with sowing the seeds of “corruption”?

On the other hand, do you want to reap crops of faith, hope, love? Do you want to reap crops of new disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ by investing Christ’s life within you within them? Remember: we reap what we sow, more than we sow, later than we sow.

Sowing and reaping are inseparably joined to provide a harvest of...

How to Handle Our Weakness

“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 
2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Here’s another of those unusual twists to logic which we find in Scripture from time to time. On the surface, it looks like a bald-faced contradiction; but a closer look reveals a powerful truth. Weakness is something many of us shy away from; but how many wake each morning to face the reality of their weakness?

Whatever your weakness, there is a word of encouragement for you. God says His grace (His unearned favor) is sufficient for you. That means that He has your best interest at heart. From our viewpoint, it may not seem as if God understands or ever cares - much less has our best interest at heart. We tend to look at our circumstances and read into them the absolute worst. But as a child of God, we are assured of His best, most tender care.

Hear again Jesus’ words: “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father... So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows”
(Matt. 10:29, 31). Learn to trust God. He desires to take you at your point of weakness and show Himself strong through you. Then you can say with Paul, “Not I, but Christ!”

Our weaknesses are the fertile soil, either of strength or defeat.

The Power of Your Personal Testimony

“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!’ And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’

They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.”  Acts 16:25-34

The whole courtroom audience was spellbound by the story being recounted by the witness. It all seemed so plain now that they heard the whole story from this person who was an eyewitness. The verdict? “Not guilty, your honor!”

What turned the tide? Just moments before, everyone was ready to send the accused to prison, but now he was being embraced and restored to his life as a free man! The reason? The testimony of an eyewitness.

How powerful the testimony of an eyewitness! But there is another sphere of life which greatly needs a word of testimony - those who need to hear how a life can be changed from a living nightmare to a joy-filled, peaceful, and meaningful life of purpose when surrendered to Christ.

Those around you are listening; they are waiting to hear to testimony of your witness, so they can make their judgement as to the place of Christ in their own lives. Don’t fail them by withholding evidence, by refusing to give an answer for the hope within you. Boldly proclaim the liberating truth that Jesus saves, and help every man and woman make their decision based on your witness.

The first century Christians turned their world upside down through their witness.

Bearing One Another’s Burdens, Part 2

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.”  Galatians 6:1-5

Have you ever been deceived - believing you were really somebody when, in reality, you were really nothing special? Hurts, doesn’t it? We all have that compelling desire to be noticed as someone important, special, or enviable.       

Case in point - Charles Colson. It took a prison cell experience to convince the top White House executive that all his achievements and successes and positions of power were really not what he had thought them to be. He was deceived!

Having that deception shattered was a traumatic experience, but one out of which came a reborn servant of Jesus Christ, whose life is impacting this nation and this world for Christ. The world may still see him as an ex-con, a man obsessed with his prison experience, someone not really to be trusted.

Is our perspective of our importance based upon what others think or upon what God thinks? Jesus said, “he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it”
(Matt. 10:38-39).

A right perspective on yourself will help you bear others’ burdens.

Bearing One Another’s Burdens

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  Colossians 3:1-12

“Father, help me to talk like a Christian, to speak in such a way that I build up another person’s confidence, instead of tearing down his reputation.

Father, help me to give like a Christian, without thought of return, without anyone knowing what I do, and with Your approval as sufficient reward.

Father, help me to dress like a Christian, by not attracting attention to myself for being too fashionable or too casual, and help me to show by my appearance that I want people to know me for what I am inside myself.

Father, help me to sleep like a Christian, at peace with myself because sin is forgiven, and at peace with others because I do not allow my anger to last through a day.

Father, keep me from being so pious that I keep You out of the practical areas of my life. Be with me when I am alone, and when I shed my inhibitions, lest in those moments I cancel out all that I seem to be when I’m on my best behavior.

Father, I ask this because I follow a Master who was never guilty of the slightest wrong-doing, and who always showed His love in the small details of living. Amen.” - Bryan Jeffery Leech

Now that you know the great Burden Bearer, you, too, may participate in ministry.