Temptation

“Pray, then, in this way … ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil’” Matthew 6:13.

You’ve heard it said, I can resist anything but temptation. Why is temptation so … tempting? Doing that which is right seems so very difficult, whereas nothing is easier than doing wrong.

I’ve often wondered why Jesus would have us pray and ask the Father not to bring us into temptation. James 1:13 states, “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.”

The word for temptation, from the original language, is closely associated with trials. Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Mark 1:13), and Abraham was tested by God (Hebrews 11:17). God certainly was not enticing Jesus, Abraham, or anyone else, to succumb to sin and wrong. So, while God leads us into refining circumstances, He would never lead us to moral and spiritual failure. The fact that we are taught to pray to be delivered from evil and the evil one may indicate that the real intent of the model prayer is that we be saved from our tendency to yield to temptation. The Psalmist says it well: “Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing or perform wicked acts with men who commit sin” Psalm 141:4. Father, save us from ourselves.

There will be temptation traps along the way today. Some may seem small and inconsequential, whereas others hold potential for serious damage to relationships and reputations. Whatever form temptation comes in, the results of yielding are the same: leading us down a pathway away from our Father and our Lord Jesus. The choices we make are really much simpler than they may seem when viewed properly: they lead us closer or further away spiritually; they are either acts of obedience or disobedience.

How we respond to temptation is determined in large part by how faithful we are to pray as Jesus instructed. Father, save us from our tendency to temptation, and deliver us far from the one bent on our own destruction.

©Steve Taylor, 2022 --Used by permission

Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/ & https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/

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Nations in Uproar

“Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!’ He who sits in the heavens laughs, The LORD scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, ‘But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.’ I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. Psalm 2:1-8

If you didn't know better, you might think these words were recently written. The nations of the world have always been in an uproar, even as they are today. Rulers of nations rise to power and often, directly or indirectly, oppose our Father. But it is He who truly has the last laugh. All human effort is pathetically weak compared to the incomparable power of our Almighty Father. While rulers of nations jockey for position and power, Yahweh God declares, "I've already put My King on the throne!”

Prophetically speaking long before He was born, the Messiah states what His Father said to Him regarding being begotten of the Father, and promised the nations as an inheritance, and even the entire earth. No human plan or aggression can or will ever overthrow this divine plan!

More dismal reports of war, bloodshed, and suffering will come our way today; largely because proud and self-absorbed rulers will assert their influence. But we do well to remember that the present world system is in its death throes and is soon destined to give way to God's plan for His Son to rule the world.

“Serve the LORD with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling. Pay homage to the Son or He will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion, for His anger may ignite at any moment. All those who take refuge in Him are happy” Psalm 2:11-12.

©Steve Taylor, 2022 --Used by permission

Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/ & https://kingdomdreamer.blogspot.com/

Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” Hebrews 13:7.