Tag: temptation

Wall of Fire

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And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst. Zechariah 2:5

When walking through life, do you feel alone?

Do you feel often overwhelmed by the world’s rubbish thrown your way?

Tired of falling too often towards temptation?

Walk in your authority from God.

He’s with you. He covers you with His strength, protection, and peace.

Psalm 5:12 reminds us: Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

When feeling overwhelmed by life, picture God surrounding you with HIs favor like a shield.

But it gets even better.

Our verse from Zechariah shares God’s promise of a literal wall of fire.

This wall of fire surrounds you. Nothing can come through.

Picture this wall of fire burning up temptation. Burning up fear. Burning up anything coming your way that is not of God.

Can we still have problems with God as our wall of fire?

Sure. Jesus reminds us we will suffer.

But suffering under God’s plan is different from allowing the world’s rubbish to affect you.

Within God’s plan, suffering looks like glory. Suffering looks like peace. It’s the opposite of how the world defines it.

Paul mentions suffering as a time to boast in God’s strength.

May God surround us as a wall of fire.

May God’s wall of fire burn up anything that comes our way not of Him and Him alone.

May God’s wall of fire burn up our selfish tendencies, placing in us the desire for God alone.

May God’s wall of fire burn up fear when tempted to rely on human knowledge.

And may God’s glory be forever in the midst of us.

Photos by Paul Bulai, Cullan Smith, Olivia Snow, & Zac Durant on Unsplash

Boasting in Weakness

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And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you. for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Ever thanked God for your temptations or weaknesses?

For how you are tempted to sin?

There are many ways we can be tempted in our flesh.

Eating too much, addictions to sugar, alcohol, drugs, or technology.

Reacting in anger, putting others down, or thinking of ourselves always first.

Even wanting to do the right thing, whatever it may be, but instead listening to our flesh, following it instead.

What are your temptations or your weaknesses?

Have you thanked God for them?

Thanked God for being weak?

I know, sounds foreign. Almost like why would I thank God for where I am weak?

When you thank God, you recognize your need for His power through you.

You recognize your need for His strength covering your weakness with His power.

Your need for not only God’s saving grace, but His every day grace transforming you into your new person God created you to become.

When you thank God, you allow His power to shine through your weakness as resisting your temptation is possible through God alone.

2 Corinthians reminds us to boast in our weakness. To recognize them positively.

Because God shines through our weakness, making us strong.

If you had everything all together, all your ducks in a row, why would you need God?

Why would you need to rely on His strength?

You wouldn’t. You’d be fine on your own. You’d never admit your need for a Savior.

We are human. Flawed. Weak.

But when we submit our weak selves unto Almighty God, we are transformed, slowly, into His likeness.

Thank Him today for your flaws. For where you are weak. When temptation knocks at your door.

Then respond with God’s strength. He’ll shut the door for you.

And you’ll rest peacefully, knowing you don’t have to do it all.

Knowing you can’t do it all.

But God can and He will.

Photos by Ýlona María Rybka, Debby Hudson, Ales Maze, & Miglena Georgieva on Unsplash

Watching You

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Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

I’ve watched him for years.

Actually since birth.

I’ve seen him grow into the young man he is today.

Witnessing his disappointments, I’ve gotten to know his weak spots.

Areas I can press him into walking towards sin.

It’s almost too easy, tempting him.

Take yesterday as an example. Years ago, I assigned self-pity to follow him.

It’s one of my usual tactics as getting people to think only of themselves delivers every single time.

Affects other areas of their lives as well, a bonus for sure.

Getting back to my example, I led him to believe he was the only one not invited to the party.

Began to feed him lies that his friends weren’t really friends, merely tolerating instead his existence.

Reminded him this was proof he actually stood on the outside of the group, instead of the inside.

Self-pity waltzed right in, confirming the lies and bringing up things from the past.

Before long, he was slumped onto the couch, convinced something was very wrong with him.

Took it out on his unsuspecting mother, who had just come home from the store.

His outburst placed a wedge in that relationship, perfectly executing my next step.

People are predictable.

I know how to tempt them for maximum effectiveness.

Why? Because I’m invited. Always around.

I’m invited through selfishness, lies, and the evils of this world.

And believe me, it’s everywhere. I’m everywhere. Me and my followers.

This young man is from a Christian house. Believed the Bible from a young age.

Thankfully, he’s strayed. No longer reads it, shutting out even the sermon in church.

Got him to stop singing there, too, as I told him it’s embarrassing. He believed me!

I have him right where I want him. Only have to worry about his mother.

She’s the one who keeps bringing God into the house through her prayers.

Sometimes I have to leave because the angels are guarding his door.

But other times, his door is open because he invites me in.

The young man happens to like self-pity, living for himself. It’s fabulous.

What door do you keep open? What activities, thoughts, or actions invite me into your life?

Keep your door open. Makes it easier for me and my followers to tempt you.

We can’t wait. In fact, we’re prowling right outside the door. Can we devour you and your family? Our appetite never ends.

Photos by Ingo Stiller, Arnaud Papa, Ihor Malytskyi, chrissie kremer, & Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Succumbing to Temptation

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Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Not only does Satan want to silence your witness, he also wishes to crush your very existence.

He always begins small.

Tiny.

Almost unnoticeable.

Look at this sinful site.

That wasn’t so bad.

Do it again.

And before you know it, you’re craving that sin.

You’ve even rationalized it’s acceptance in your life.

It’s now no big deal.

Happens with lying, cheating, gossiping, stealing – you name the sin, it generally starts small.

How did that happen?

Succumbing to temptation from the pit of hell.

It might not seem like a big deal, but it IS.

We are all human, so when you slip, repent.

Repent and ask God to help you resist.

He will fill you up with Himself, which is the only way to fully resist the devil.

James 4: 7 reminds us of what to do.

Only with God can you resist the devil.

And God is with you when you humble yourself, submitting to God’s authority.

His rules of right and wrong.

Not yours.

Sin begins and, if not squelched, grows.

It grows like a weed, taking over all of the good soil.

Before you know it, the garden is full of seeds, that left untouched, will keep infiltrating the future possibility of goodness.

Allowing sin as parents furthers its demise on our children.

The sin grows, and children begin to accept it as an acceptable alternative to the truth.

Absolutely breaks my heart.

But God is bigger.

And He is above all things.

He has all authority.

Yank out those weeds when they are easy to pull.

Ask God to help you pull out the ones with deep roots.

Submit yourself to God, asking Him to fill you with His power, love, and sound mind.

Your generations will unknowingly thank you for your faithfulness to Almighty God.

Fall on your knees, asking God if there is any sin in your life you have accepted as normal.

Submit yourself to God and He will help you resist the devil each and every time.

Photos by Annie Spratt, Jon Tyson, & Ben White on Unsplash

Daily Effort

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Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

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Walking in life-giving steps requires daily effort.

Deliberately stepping into what God has for you is a choice.

It’s rather easy to stumble, falling into death.

Death?

Walking into self-pity.

Agreeing with rejection.

Joining with unloving.

Listening to fear.

Satan knows our weaknesses.

Tempting us is rather easy as we are so used to succumbing to his pitiful ways.

We are so weak.

Yet, with God, we are strong.

So very strong, we have literally no idea.

No idea, whatsoever, what power is ours.

Power that can shut down the devil’s temptations in an instant.

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Guard yourself.

Guard myself, how?

Writing down your precious blessings from God.

Listing scriptures which proclaim the truth of God over the lies of Satan.

Tuning into worship music, filling your brain with the praises of God.

Telling fear to go.

Cancelling the assignments of rejection.

Declaring God’s power over all.

Then stepping back in line with life.

The life hidden under God’s all-powerful wings.

But you must also choose to stay.

Choose to stay aligned with God.

Completely.

Walking with God produces life.

He’ll take all of your fears and lay them to rest.

Believe Him.

Because He is life.

Your life nestled safely in His hands.

Photos by Olia Gozha & Ben White on Unsplash

Doubt

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Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31

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Where is my next victim?

I’ll pick him.

Over there.

The one looking at his phone.

I know… they are ALL looking at their phones, but I mean the one over there.

The kid wearing a striped shirt.

I’m going to whisper a doubt into his head.

Great- he looks concerned.

What do you know….looks like I succeeded.

It’s tomorrow and I’m at it again.

I see him getting ready for school, so let’s pile on the doubt.

Oh good, he thinks he’s the stupid kid walking around at school.

He just threw his things down in disgust at himself.

Let’s confirm the doubts and really take him down a few pegs.

Wait, he’s a Christian?

Not sure if that matters.

Look, we got him to skip praying, so I can move in yet again, confirming the doubts yet again.

No, instead, I’m going to double the doubts.

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What is my name?

Fear.

I tend to rule.

No, I do rule.

I have absolute power when folks give it to me.

How do they give it to me?

Succumb to the lies I tell them and don’t believe the truth.

I’m only silenced with the power of God.

But if I can get them to forget all about that, I win.

I am so used to winning, it’s almost boring.

I’m serious.

My job is so easy.

Oh no.

That kid I taunted is in Bible class.

He’s listening to the teacher proclaim victory over fear.

Let me quickly plant a doubt.

Shoot, he declared the truth in immediate response.

Now they are praying and he is agreeing.

Guess I have to leave him for now.

Time to find another victim.

Let’s try her…..

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Photos by Issam Hammoudi, Michał Parzuchowski,  Ryoji Iwata, & Lukas Juhas on Unsplash

Toxic poison

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Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21

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Are you affected by poison?

I know we never knowingly ingest the stuff.

I’m talking about subtle poison.

Toxic people.

Toxic situations.

Lies from the pit.

Poison like that is all around us.

It infects us frankly easier than literally ingesting liquid.

So what should you do when you find yourself without warning in the midst of poison?

Suddenly surrounded by the bad stuff?

Refuse to participate.

Isn’t that what they teach kids about drugs?

You bet.

It’s good advice.

Refuse.

Don’t let your heart become drawn.

Set your mind against participation with fear or disappointment.

Keep your head and rise above it, staying in peace.

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Poison is meant to infect.

It’s goal is to inflict pain, cutting you to the core.

So don’t let it.

Sounds simple, but in reality, it’s pretty hard.

Our nature tends to succumb to temptation.

In this case, succumbing to the temptation of pain.

Pain is familiar.

Anger is familiar.

Disappointment is familiar.

These toxic reactions are poison.

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I have an example.

Recently, someone produced gifts for everyone except for me.

It was a pointed attack, meant for harm.

If I had let the toxic poison sink deep, anger and depression would have clung to my soul.

Instead, I refused to participate, letting the disappointment fall to the ground.

I did not let the toxic power take hold.

If I had, the poison would have won.

Just what the person wanted.

Battling toxic people or situations can only be done with God.

God is on your side.

He is present and fights for you.

He wants every good thing for you.

He is on your side.

Don’t you want to be on His?

You can be when you resist toxic people and situations.

Try it.

I have complete confidence in you.

With God.

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Photos by Lisa, Zachary, Bryan, & Seb on Unsplash

Rejecting Ourselves

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When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

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Satan wants us to reject ourselves.

He will desperately try to confirm the lies he places in our head.

Allow me to say that again:  Satan will desperately try to confirm the lies he places in our heads.

He won’t usually tempt us by announcing himself amid large startling bangs.

The temptation to sin will sneak upon us until we do not even notice it’s existence.

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There are many ways to tempt us, robbing us of our peace.

More than one way to skin a cat, my father always says.

Gross, I know, but the metaphor excellently describes life’s choices.

There are many ways to study for a test.

Many paths to success in your job.

Multiple menus to cook for dinner.

Way too many delicious coffee concoctions at Starbucks, but that is another blog entirely.

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However, let’s be clear:  there is only one path to God.

Through Jesus.

Satan tempted Jesus, wanting Him to sin, not perfectly dying for our sins.

And like Jesus, Satan wants us for himself.

If we can be tempted one way, but suddenly wisen up, Satan can entice us another way with the same exact carrot.

And when that temptation dries up because we mature, there will be a hundred and one new and different ways Satan will continue persuading us.

And be assured, he will.

So be on your guard.

Every single day.

Be full of God’s power, rejecting the lies of the enemy, listening instead to the truth of God.

We are almost predictable in our human responses, so getting us to reject ourselves is actually easy.

But with God’s power in you, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, you can resist ANYTHING.

Rise up, and claim your victory in Him.

Stand firm, resting in the truth of God, rejecting the lies from the pit.

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Photos by Giulio Magnifico & wu yi on Unsplash

Temptations

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All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalm 38:9

What are yours?

Your temptations?

Believing the worst about someone because of your own personal wounds?

Sneaking off early or wasting time at work because you feel you deserve it?

Not correcting the clerk who hands you extra change?

Embracing self-pity if you feel wronged, even if that was not the intention?

Succumbing to fear of the future when you are uncertain of life?

Satan tempts us according to our weaknesses and personality.

However,

When we belong to Jesus, His power in us keeps us from falling into temptation.

But ONLY when we decide.

That’s worth saying again:

God’s power in us keeps us from acting upon our temptation ONLY when we decide not to succumb.

 Satan’s goal is to remove our connection to God through temptation.

When we loose our connection to God, we are of no value to God.

God’s light in us becomes covered by sin.

And He cannot bring others to Himself through us.

Think back to a recent time when you were tempted to let your mood slide into the toilet.

When you succumbed, were you of value to God?

If you lashed out as a result, the opposite is true.

Ouch.

If Satan helps you to become of zero value to God, then what does it matter if you are God’s child?

Yes, your eventual heavenly reward, but I’m talking about our mission here and now.

Your every day life.

Your interactions with family, friends, and the great big world.

Recognize your weaknesses.

Look for Satan’s temptations to slam you to the ground.

And next time, instead of agreeing with the Tempter, declare “but NONE one of these things affect me”. (see post)

Stand instead with God, keeping His power simmering within you,

showing the world His great love.

Photos by Laura Baker & Ricardo Cruz on Unsplash