What Entices You Comes With Temptation

Devotion for Tuesday July 24, 2018

Sing A&M 300 – Be Thou My Guardian And My Guide

Topic: What Entices You Comes With Temptation

Text: James 1:13 – 18

This text draws our attention to the fact that God cannot tempt us rather it comes through the desire of our heart. James had his eye on whatever there was in trial of any kind to induce us to commit sin - whether by complaining, by murmuring, by apostasy, or by yielding to sin. So far as that was concerned, no one should charge it on God. Indeed James enjoined us to strive to overcome trials and temptation but that does not suggest that God will bring the temptation to us so that we can overcome and become perfect; temptations and trial come through the things we see and wish for. Satan thought to take advantage of Christ's humanity by urging Him to submit by obeying his tricks. Satan can solicit us to sin but he cannot compel us to do it. He said to Jesus, "Throw yourself down," knowing that he could not throw Him down; for God would intervene to deliver Him. Nor could Satan force Jesus to throw Himself down. Unless Christ should consent to such temptation coming your way, it could not overcome Him. Not all the power of earth or hell could force Him in the slightest degree to depart from the will of His Father. The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us. But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a foothold in our lives. Every point in which we fail in meeting the divine standard is an open door by which he can enter to tempt and destroy us. And every failure or defeat on our part gives occasion for him to reproach Christ. Therefore, let us live our lives as Christians, allowing our will to be lost in His; then we will overcome every trial and temptation that the enemies will bring our way.

Food for Thought: Enticement and temptation are meant to draw you away from God, stay focused and never give in.

Prayer: O God, give me the grace to live above sin and temptation

A WISE FATHER'S EXHORTATION: Devotion for Tuesday June 28, 2016

A WISE FATHER’S EXHORTATION: Devotion for Tuesday June 28, 2016

Text: Proverbs 1:10 – 19            

Memory verse: v 10 – My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent

The wicked are zealous in seducing others into the paths of their wickedness; they love to have company in their sin and crime. Nevertheless, they have so much the more to answer for (Rom. 14:12; Heb. 4:13). This should make young people to be very cautious. "Do not consent" here is all encompassing; do not say as they say nor do as they do. It also means do not follow them to do evil.

Furthermore, do not consent means you shouldn’t have any fellowship with them just as Paul warns in 2 Cor. 6:14 which says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” Their idea of acquiring wealth is very different from God’s ideal. Their desire is to steal and even kill to acquire wealth. This confirms what Jesus said about Satan in Jn. 10:10. It is absurd to think that it is a pleasure for someone to destroy another. It is not a pleasure rather a quick ticket to hell fire.  

Those who choose the wicked as their companions will definitely become like them in character and their end. This advice is the best a father can offer to the son. Unfortunately these days, most parents don’t even care to know how their children acquired the wealth they are flashing about in the society. Some will advice their children to do whatsoever their hands can find them so far they come home with a car or build good houses. All these are not evidence of good standing with God. Men may appreciate and speak good of what you have ‘achieved’ but God’s verdict is what matters at the end. Some others will even advice their children to do things immoral. Some parents pay for their children to cheat in examinations. Some encourage their children into immoral relationship with opposite sex. Parents, what advice do you give to your children? Let the advice of Solomon here be a challenge and a model for us.   

Food for Thought: What kind of advice do you give to your children?

Prayer: Lord God, grant me the wisdom to always give wise counsel to my children and wards in Jesus name