Day Sixty Six: Struggling with Temptation in the Midst of A Storm
I thought this would be an appropriate topic for today. You just have to add one more six to make it the number of the beast. I have to admit that reading about what Bill Gates and others are promoting sends cold shivers down my back. They even named the project, from what I understand, with the number. It is very tempting to give in to the fear right now and speculate what you're going to do. In Matthew 26:41(KJV) we are told to "watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." I know my flesh is weak. It is hard not to give into the fear.
I do take heart however when I read in 1 Corinthians 10:13(KJV) these words: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." That means that God won't put any temptation on you that you can't handle. I do pray that the wicked schemes that these government officials are pressing will come to naught. I know that God will provide an escape for me, and give me strength to face these foes. Yes, I have forgiven them, but haven't forgotten what they've done. It is a good reminder that our freedoms can be taken away from us.
God even does one better through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus knew temptation. He faced it time and time again, yet he never succumbed to it. Hebrews 2:18(KJV) says this about Jesus: "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." Jesus understands us. He knows that we are tempted, and offers a lifeline for us. I see that so clearly now. In the midst of a storm there are many temptations surrounding us. We are tempted to fear and doubt that we'll ever get out of the storm. We are tempted to worry that God won't fulfill our needs. We are tempted to speak out in anger and wish harm to others.
James 1:12-16(KJV) sums up perfectly the correct reaction to temptation. It reads: "Blessed is the man who endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren."
God gives us free will. We chose whether to follow him or be lured into many diverse temptations. Yes, we all will be tempted to do or say something we probably shouldn't. We may even fall into temptations from time to time. We need to understand that God doesn't tempt anyone. He may allow you to go through temptations, but will always give you the resources to escape them.
It is natural to struggle with temptation in the midst of a storm. It is during this time that you really just want for it to end, and sometimes you are willing to do just about anything to do it. It is however that period of time that you need to take some steps back, and start thinking rationally. Some in the media and government are hoping that you continue to think irrationally. They thrive on the chaos and the power frightened citizens have given them.
I am praying the cooler heads will start to prevail and push back the evil narrative.
I do take heart however when I read in 1 Corinthians 10:13(KJV) these words: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." That means that God won't put any temptation on you that you can't handle. I do pray that the wicked schemes that these government officials are pressing will come to naught. I know that God will provide an escape for me, and give me strength to face these foes. Yes, I have forgiven them, but haven't forgotten what they've done. It is a good reminder that our freedoms can be taken away from us.
God even does one better through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus knew temptation. He faced it time and time again, yet he never succumbed to it. Hebrews 2:18(KJV) says this about Jesus: "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." Jesus understands us. He knows that we are tempted, and offers a lifeline for us. I see that so clearly now. In the midst of a storm there are many temptations surrounding us. We are tempted to fear and doubt that we'll ever get out of the storm. We are tempted to worry that God won't fulfill our needs. We are tempted to speak out in anger and wish harm to others.
James 1:12-16(KJV) sums up perfectly the correct reaction to temptation. It reads: "Blessed is the man who endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren."
God gives us free will. We chose whether to follow him or be lured into many diverse temptations. Yes, we all will be tempted to do or say something we probably shouldn't. We may even fall into temptations from time to time. We need to understand that God doesn't tempt anyone. He may allow you to go through temptations, but will always give you the resources to escape them.
It is natural to struggle with temptation in the midst of a storm. It is during this time that you really just want for it to end, and sometimes you are willing to do just about anything to do it. It is however that period of time that you need to take some steps back, and start thinking rationally. Some in the media and government are hoping that you continue to think irrationally. They thrive on the chaos and the power frightened citizens have given them.
I am praying the cooler heads will start to prevail and push back the evil narrative.
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