Jun 8, 2007

"Temptation is not a sin. It's when we dwell on temptation that we are led into choosing sinful actions,lured by our own sin." proverbs 31.com

I read this and thought to myself, now this is how you deal with difficult people! ha ha~! I took it to the Lord and He reminded me of one of my most relied upon scriptures, Phillipians 4:8~ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Not letting every thought ruminate, but taking each one captive(and holding it up to the scrutiny of the Lord's word to us) and meditating on His ways, we take the escape He has given us and do not give into temptation in trying circumstances. Oh how these scriptures have helped me in my times of need. I also found 2 Corinthians 10:5 ~We detroy arguments and any lofty opinion lifted up against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to Christ. Because of the word He has given us, and because His spirit is with us helping us every moment of every day, we can rely on His word for truth to stand on and on the grace of His spirit for strength to resist temptation~ we rely on His promises to us, which are great and many, to help us escape the corruption that is in this world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1:3-4~ His divine power has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1: 5-10 are also very helpful here, but I unfortunately cannot take the time to type all of that out right now as I will need to go in just a few moments. But, do read them on your own if you are struggling with temptation in any area of life. Temptation to sin is always right here with us because we have a sinful nature by birth and there are plenty of temptations all around us and in our own hearts everyday. I remember what my care group leader told me one night when I was talking with her briefly about feeling really tempted(to entitelment in an area of life, and we all know the uglies that follow that one) and her brief advice was the best advice I could have ever been given: she said "Just go to The Word. Every time you feel tempted, pick up that book, and go to The Word." I lived by that advice for several weeks, running to my bible and picking it up, opening it and finding my ever present help in my times of need, hiding in it and being corrected and kept on the right path because of it. I even brought it with me in the diaper bag(yes, it was heavy during those weeks!lol!) and with the continual washing of the word I started to feel less and less bombarded by those temptations and there was another wonderful 'side' benefit~ being strengthened all the more in my knowledge and trust that God does hear, does care, and does help. Whatever your situation is in life, God does hear, He does care and He does help. Take heart! Continue to bring into your relationships loving correction, words from the scriptures, but all the while trust that God is working and flee to His Word in times of temptation~ because there will probably be many, friends! Remember how long it takes us to submit our stubborn wills? I'm sure we have all had times of this! lol. Got to go now, but God bless and hope you have a wonderful day ~ and enjoy the hot weather! I know that we are getting out early today so that we can escape into the air conditioning later on in the day when the heat is up in the 90's and unbearable ;)

3 comments:

TO BECOME said...

Another good post, Stacy. Have a good weekend. connie from Texas

Heather Smith said...

Great thoughts, Stacey, and just what I needed to hear right now. I'm struggling in a certain area of my life (that stubborn will thing rears it's ugly head!) But like you said, if I go to the Word, I know that I will find strength there to overcome any tempation. After all, didn't He promise us a way of escape? (I Cor 10:13) Thanks so much for sharing this!

staceyhoff said...

Heather, thanks so much for sharing 1 Corinthians 10:13 !
I always have to be on the lookout for this, " What way of escape is God providing me right now?", in the midst of it all. xoxo