Stay Spiritually Ready for Temptation

“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.” LUKE 4:1-2

 

PONDER THIS

Temptation can come from any place. Jesus is the last Adam. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, and Jesus overcame. Adam was tempted in the garden, and Adam fell.

Satan doesn’t care whether he comes to you in a garden or in the wilderness. Don’t get the idea that somehow you can isolate and insulate yourself from temptation.

Sometimes people go all the way to a monastery to fast and pray and get off in some hole in the rock, but they find out there’s no holiness in the hole. You cannot escape temptation by location. Temptation may come to any person—it came to Jesus. It may come in any period—it came after His baptism, and He was filled with the Holy Spirit. It may come in any place, whether it be in a garden or whether it be in a wilderness. We need to be forewarned; temptation can come at any point. We have to live with spiritual readiness!

What does it look like to be spiritually ready for temptation?

When have you felt unprepared to face temptation? What did you do?

PRACTICE THIS

Ask God to equip you to be prepared to face temptation and trials.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Victory First. Satan’s Counterattack Next.

 “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” LUKE 3:21-22

 

PONDER THIS

Jesus entered the temptation of the wilderness just after He had been baptized. He had a mountain-high experience of seeing God move and approve of Him in a beautiful and magnificent way. He was baptized by John the Baptist. He came up out of the water, and God said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” then the Spirit, like a dove, descended upon the Lord Jesus Christ. But after the dove came the devil.

Did you know that some of your greatest temptations will come after some of your highest spiritual experiences? Did you know temptation can come at any time? Sometimes people get in trouble because they’ve been in a revival meeting and they’ve been so gloriously, wonderfully blessed, they begin to praise God, but then they begin to coast. Sometimes ministers will testify, they’ll get in some of the biggest arguments with their wives right after they’ve preached and seen people saved. Satan comes to counterattack. When you have the approval of Heaven, you’re going to have the assault of Hell. This is why we are called to always be ready, to put on the armor of God, and to prepare ourselves spiritually each day.

When was a time you faced temptation on the heels of a spiritual high?

How can you prepare for temptation? How often do you prepare for it?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to Christians you look up to and ask how they prepare to face temptation.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Where Are You Pitching Your Tent?

Pray Over This

“Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.”

Genesis 13:11-13

Like Lot, we often feel the world’s pull, but lasting security comes only by following where God leads. 

 

PONDER THIS

Many love the message of grace, but do not learn the lesson of grace and live it out. That is how Lot struggled. He had a choice. When you look at this passage, it says, “And Lot chose . . .” That's the key right there. There was no prayer, no looking to God. Then we read, “Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Why did Lot do this? For one thing, He wanted all that Sodom had to offer. It was unspeakably wicked, and yet there was an attraction.

We all must come to a point where we can humbly admit the world pulls on us. Jesus was tempted in all points like us. Even Jesus felt the pull of the world. There is constantly a pull on you. At every moment, you need to resist the pull of the world. What was pulling on Lot? The world with its money. The world with its busyness. The world with its pleasures. The world with its social life. Even coming from the family of God, Lot still looked to the way he wanted instead of where God was leading.

What does it look like to look for where God is leading rather than determining your own way forward?

How can you relate to Lot? In what ways do you feel the pull of the world?

PRACTICE THIS

Consider the ways you feel pulled by the world. Tell those things to God and to an accountability partner..

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

No Space for the Enemy’s Foothold

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” JAMES 4:7

 

PONDER THIS

Even after you repent, the devil is not going to walk out of your life. You’re going to have to run him out. If you don’t resist him, he’s not going anywhere. When you repent of the sin, Jesus cancels the debt. Then you say, “Satan, I have given you a place, but I take it back in the name and the authority of Jesus. You have no right, you have no authority, this body of mine is the temple of the Holy Spirit, you are trespassing on my Father’s property, and in the name of Jesus, whose I am and whom I serve, be gone!” And he’ll flee from you. The problem is, if you try to resist the devil with unconfessed sin in your heart and life, he will laugh in your face. He’ll say, “Who do you think you are? You gave me this piece of property, and I am not moving out.” There must be repentance, and then there can be resistance.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit means there’s not one room in your temple where He’s off bounds. There’s not one closet He doesn’t have a key to. You are filled with the Spirit, in your sex life, in your business life, in your political life, in your church life, in your social life, in the big things and the little things. Jesus has the keys to it all. When you are filled with the Spirit, there’s no more room for Satan.

What has been your experience with repentance? How have you experienced the return of temptation following repentance?

What are some places in life you have not given God access to? What needs to change?

PRACTICE THIS

Ask God to open your eyes to the areas of your life where the enemy is still in control. Repent. Resist the devil. And ask Jesus to fill those parts of your life with Himself.

 

 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Undetected, Unexpected, and Unprotected

“So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, ‘Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’ Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.” 2 SAMUEL 11:3-4

 

PONDER THIS

Sin is often a combination of three things. It is an undetected weakness, an unexpected opportunity, and an unprotected life. You do not know what is latent in your old flesh. If you’ve been a believer for a long time, you may think your flesh has improved. But your flesh has not improved one bit. That which is flesh is flesh. And that’s the reason you must pray as the Lord Jesus taught, “Dear God, lead us. Lest we fall into temptation. Deliver us from evil.” David was impulsive in his sin. He did not intend to go down that path.

Three people are sitting in your chair right now. There is the person you are right now, this moment. There is the person you could be for God if you sold out one hundred percent. And there is the person for evil that you may become if you take your eyes off the Lord. David never dreamed he would have done such a thing. He would say, “No way.” But he did. He had begun to coast. His heart had grown cold, and he didn’t realize it. We often say of public sin, “Look how far they fell.” The problem is, we don’t know how low they were living. Outwardly, everything looks fine, but inside, they started walking away from God a long time ago. The same can be true of you.

When have you shocked yourself with your sin? What happened?

What is the state of your heart right now? Is it growing cold apart from God or drawing closer to Him? How long has it been that way?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to a mentor about how you want to grow in your relationship with God and be honest about where you feel distant from Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Temptation to Fall Up

“Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” GENESIS 3:4-7

 

PONDER THIS

The devil is not against religion; he uses religion. The temptation in the garden was not for Adam and Eve to fall down; it was to “fall up.” He said, “You can be like God.” Satan has always wanted to be like God. It sounds good, but the ambition was to be like God apart from Him, essentially to be one’s own God.

Satan does not want casualties. He wants converts. Satan wants worship. When we look to ourselves for the answers, when we insist on our own way, we amplify our ego and turn away from God. The enemy seeks to sound smooth. He tempts us to follow our sense of logic and to place ourselves at the center of our own worlds instead of worshiping God for who He is. We cannot be like God without God; we need Him.

What are some ways you have tried to be like God apart from Him? What happened?

What are some lies the enemy has told you? How have you sought to combat those lies?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to a trusted brother or sister, sharing where you have been tempted and asking for prayer.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Settling for Worthless Substitutes

“Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us!’ But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to sway over trees?’ Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us!’ But the vine said to them, ‘Should I cease my new wine, which cheers both God and men, and go to sway over trees?’ Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us!’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon!’” JUDGES 9:10-15

 

PONDER THIS

The prophet Jotham lifted his voice and said, “You need to listen to God’s Word if you want God to listen to your words.” The one that turns away his ear from the hearing of the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination. Then he gave this parable about trees that said, “We need a king.” They went to the olive tree and asked, “Will you reign over us?” And the olive tree said, “No, I can’t reign over you, I’m too busy.” So, they went to the fig tree and asked, “Will you rule over us?” The fig tree said, “I can’t do that. I’m too busy producing sweet figs.” Each tree had its reason, each so busy doing good things. So, the trees went to the bramble and asked, “Will you rule over us?” He said, “I’ll be glad to. You can rest in my shade, and I’ll be a shadow for you.” Can you imagine a bramble being a shade tree? The bramble has no fruit. The bramble has no shade.

This prophet gave the people this straightforward message to reveal what they were missing. He reminded them of the ways they had made compromises instead of coming to God and living in His provision. It seems silly at first glance, but this is easy to do. We look for our own way, and it never amounts to anything valuable.

What are some things you have turned to instead of God? What happened?

What makes us want to turn to other things instead of God? What are the benefits that come when we depend on God?

PRACTICE THIS

Share with another Christian the things you are tempted to turn to instead of God. Ask your friend to pray for you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What is So Special About Jesus?

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

HEBREWS 4:14-16

 

PONDER THIS

What do these inspired words tell us about Jesus? They tell us about the virgin-born Son of God. His life began with a miraculous birth. Then He lived a miraculous life. Jesus Christ is absolutely unique. You can trust Him and trust His way in every circumstance.

The Bible describes a sinless man who often was misunderstood but never was distracted by the temptations of the world. He was a man of wisdom who cared about God’s direction more than the affirmation of the Pharisees. He was tempted in every way but did not sin. He cared for the people that would turn around and hurt Him. What an incredible life He lived!

When we consider what to do in a situation or how to live, Jesus gave us a life well-lived to follow. He endured rejection and pain and yet did not sin. He is the One you can look to when you don’t know what to do. He will fill you with His life and His way so that you can live for Him.

What stands out to you about how Jesus lived?

What are some ways you need to look to the example of Jesus today instead of going your own way?

PRACTICE THIS

Discuss with a friend what is special and unique about Jesus. Ask that person how he or she looks to the example of Jesus in daily life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

How Do You Resist Temptation?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His special own people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14

 

PONDER THIS

You need to learn to resist the pull of the world. We all feel that pull of the world. The Bible says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 5:12). What temptation pulled on Lot in Genesis 13? It was the money, pleasure, and social life available to him from the world. Lot had no prayer. He wasn’t seeking God. There wasn’t a thought for the welfare of his children.

Often, young people are told, “Make all the money you can, just so you make it honestly.” And we say, “Well, a man has to live.” No, he has to die. And after he dies, he has to face God. First John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” Lot saw the lust of the flesh, Sodom with its pleasures. He saw the lust of the eyes, Sodom with its possessions. There was the pride of life, Sodom with its philosophy. Now, Lot’s sin was not a sin only the rich have. You can be poor and covetous. You can have nothing and still feel the pull of the world. This world flirted with Lot. He was enticed. He became a friend of the world and committed adultery against God. Those same forces that worked on Lot are working on you and me day by day. Resist the pull of the world.

Where do you feel the pull of the world most strongly?

How do you respond when you feel the pull of the world?

PRACTICE THIS

Speak to an accountability partner about the areas where you feel the pull of the world. Pray together about those things.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Does Satan Want From You?

PRAY OVER THIS

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

 

PONDER THIS

What does the devil war against primarily? You may say the devil tries to get you to commit adultery. Not primarily. The devil tries to get you drunk. No, not primarily. The devil tries to get you on an ego trip. Not primarily.

Primarily, the devil wars against your spirit. What is your spirit? What is the difference between your spirit and your soul? Your soul is the sense of self-consciousness. Your spirit is the sense of God-consciousness. You know God through your spirit. Plants have a body, but they don’t have a soul. Animals have a body and a soul. That means they have self-consciousness, but no animal has a spirit. Only man has a spirit.

That’s what makes man more than an animal. Man can know God. And the Bible says, “God is Spirit, and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). God’s Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God (see Romans 8:16). The spirit in man is the vehicle of communication, worship, praise, and spiritual knowledge. What does the devil want to do? The devil wants to cut you off from God. He does this primarily by attacking your spirit.

Think about the temptations listed at the beginning of today’s devotion. How are these all symptoms of the devil attacking your spirit?

How does the condition of your spirit guide the way you think and act?

PRACTICE THIS

Have a conversation with another person today about the importance of a person’s spirit.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Great King’s Wine

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

I have never heard anyone say, “The really deep lessons of my life have come through times of ease and comfort.” But I have heard strong saints say, “Every significant advance I have ever made in grasping the depths of God’s love and growing deep with him, has come through suffering.”

This is a sobering biblical truth. For example: “For [Christ’s] sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Paraphrase: No pain, no gain. Or:

Now let it all be sacrificed, if it will get me more of Christ.

Here’s another example: “Although he was a son, [Jesus] learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). The same book said he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).

So learning obedience does not mean switching from disobedience to obedience. It means growing deeper and deeper with God in the experience of obedience. It means experiencing depths of yieldedness to God that would not have been otherwise attained. This is what came through suffering. No pain, no gain.

Samuel Rutherford said that when he was cast into the cellars of affliction, he remembered that the great King always kept his wine there. Charles Spurgeon said, “They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.”

Do you not love your beloved more when you feel some strange pain that makes you think you have cancer? We are strange creatures indeed. If we have health and peace and time to love, it can become a thin and hasty thing. But if we are dying, love becomes a deep, slow river of inexpressible joy, and we can scarcely endure to give it up.

Therefore brothers and sisters, “Count it all joy . . . when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2).

John Piper 

What Are You Running To?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted”... 

(Galatians 6:1)

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I read that each morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up and says to himself, “If I cannot outrun the fastest lion on these plains today, I will be devoured.” And somewhere that same morning, a lion wakes up and says, “If I cannot outrun the slowest gazelle today, I will starve.” So they run.

Every morning you and I need to wake up running because we are running from sin, and Satan is running after us.

You know the difference between my life before I was saved and after? Before I got saved, I was running to sin, but now I’m running from sin. But sometimes we are overtaken by sin, and the Bible tells us to “restore one other.”

ACTION POINT:

Do you know a brother or sister in Christ who’s been running toward sin—and walked away from the faith? Ask the Lord how He might use you and other believers to “restore such a one.” We who are Christians are to be in the restoration and reclamation business!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Do you carry a swim suit “just in case”?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:14

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

One of my favorite stories is about a father who leaves his son at home one Saturday afternoon because his son wasn’t feeling well. He tells his son, “Don’t go swimming with your buddies.”

The son says, “Yes sir!”

The dad returns by way of the swimming hole and notices his son frolicking with the other boys. He stops the car, calls his son over and says, “I told you not to go swimming.”

“But I didn’t intend to go swimming. I just came down to watch, and I fell in,” the boy said.

The dad began feeling sorry for his son until he noticed he had his bathing suit on! The son explained, “I brought that along…in case I was tempted.”

ACTION POINT:

Friend, don’t make any provision for the flesh.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Temptation of Man

Temptation is not sin.

It is only when you yield to it, that sin enters in.

Temptation will always be with us.

Let us run toward God.

This test must be given!

We must win to glorify God!

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. - 1 Corinthians 10:13-14

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:15-16

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,

5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge-

6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you-

7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. - 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. - Hebrews 2:18

Recognize temptation in your life.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. - 1 Corinthians 10:12

Pride and arrogance will lead you down the path to sin.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.  - Proverbs 16:18

Request help in advance of temptation.

Pray for wisdom!

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  - Matthew 6:13

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

Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Retreat from certain kinds of sin.

Be a coward!

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. - 1 Corinthians 10:14

Retreat from immorality.

18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22

7 And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, "Lie with me."

8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. - Genesis 39:7-8

Retreat from greed.

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. - 1 Timothy 6:10-11

Remove any means of sin from your life.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. - Romans 13:14

Set yourself for victory!

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.  - Proverbs 13:20

Resolve to live on the high road.

Be Christ filled for the day of temptation.

Be strong in the Lord!

Sin crushes! 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians 4:16

Thanks Pastor Jeremiah!

Defeat your enemy just like Jesus did

BIBLE MEDITATION:

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, He was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matthew 4:1). He did not overcome Satan as God, but as man anointed by the power of God. There’s an important distinction here for us to understand.

Jesus could have said, “Satan, I want you to know that because I am God, I will obliterate you this moment.” Had He asserted His power as God, then when He asks us to overcome the devil, we’d be saying, “Sure, it’s easy for You to say that! You’re God! Don’t expect me to do what You did.” 

But Jesus didn’t pull rank on us. Instead, God anointed Jesus as a man to do what we, as humans, can also do by His anointing. You and I have what we need to face any temptation, for we are in Christ, and He is in us.

ACTION POINT:

You have the same Father to call upon and the same Word of God to use against the enemy. You do not have to yield, give up, or give in. Instead, you can have the victory over him, just as Jesus did. Remember, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” ( 1 John 4:4).

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Five Digital Dangers

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:14)

Christians do not just coast through life like jellyfish floating in the current of contemporary culture. We live by the power of the Spirit and find our course by the word of God. We swim. Like dolphins, not jellyfish. Part of that course setting and power is expressed in thoughtful engagement with the digital realities of our day. Dangers included. Here are five.

1) The hook of constant curiosity

Digital devices offer a never-ending possibility for discovery. Even the basic operating systems can consume hours of curious punching and experimenting. Then there are the endless apps consuming weeks of your time as they lure you into their intricacies.

All this is very deceptive, giving the illusion of power and effectiveness, but leaving you with a feeling of emptiness and nervousness at the end of the day.

Resolution: I will strictly limit my experimental time on the device and devote myself more to truth than to technique.

2) The empty world of virtual (un)reality

How sad to see brilliant, creative people pouring hours and days of their lives into creating cities and armies and adventures that have no connection with reality. We have one life to live. All our powers are given to us by the real God for the real world leading to a real heaven and real hell.

Resolution: I will spend my constructive, creative energy not in the unreality of “virtual reality” but in the reality of the real world.

3) “Personal” relations with a machine

Like no other invention, a computer comes closest to being like a person. You can play games with it. It will talk to you. It will always be there for you. The great danger here is that we really become comfortable with this manageable electronic “person,” and gradually drift away from the unpredictable, frustrating, sometimes painful dealings with real human persons.

Resolution: I will not replace the risk of personal relationships with impersonal electronic safety.

4) The risk of tryst

“Tryst \’trist\ noun: An agreement (as between lovers) to meet.” Sexual affairs begin in private time together, extended conversation, and the sharing of soul, which can now be done in absolute seclusion through digital devices. You can think that “it’s just nothing” — until she (or he) shows up in town.

Resolution: I will not cultivate a one-on-one relationship with a person of the opposite sex other than my spouse. If I am single, I will not cultivate such a relationship with another person’s spouse.

5) Porn

More insidious that X-rated videos, we can now not only watch but join the perversity in the privacy of our own den. Interactive porn will allow you to “do it” or make them “do it” virtually.

I have never seen it. Nor do I ever intend to. It kills the spirit. It drives God away. It depersonalizes women. It quenches prayer. It blanks out the Bible. It cheapens the soul. It destroys spiritual power. It defiles everything.

Resolution: I will never open any app or website for sexual stimulation, nor purchase or download anything pornographic.

John Piper 

Tempted? There’s a way out

BIBLE MEDITATION:

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John 5:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you know why the devil couldn’t get to Jesus in the midst of a 40-day fast when He was starving? He was already satisfied. You see, Jesus didn’t have an itch that the devil could scratch.

Temptation really comes down to this: Satan lures you to take a legitimate, God-given desire and satisfy it in an illegitimate, God-forbidden way. Satan says, “Hey, you’ve got a need, and I can satisfy it.”

Desires like food, security, love—they’re legitimate. The sex drive is a God-given desire. Satan wants to take that and twist it. You’re not sinful because you feel sexual urges. How do you handle it? Satisfy it the right way; then you won't need the wrong way.

Have you ever tried to take a bone from a dog? Here’s how: throw a steak on the ground. He'll drop that bone. Isn't that right? You see, when you satisfy a desire the right way, when you choose what God has for you, then the ol' dog doesn't need that bone. A preacher friend of mine says, "If you're eating steak at home, you won't need bologna at the office."

When tempted, you have a choice: get that need satisfied by the devil or by the Lord. The devil is a pervert. He has no original materials. All he can do is take what God created first, then pervert it.

ACTION POINT:

A husband and wife should live together as sexual partners, happy in the Lord Jesus. Do you want to overcome temptation? Satisfy your desires the legitimate way, and you won’t need the illegitimate.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

How can you escape temptation?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Psalm 63:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. I have been to Palestine and seen stones that looked amazingly like little loaves of bread. I can just see the devil looking on the ground, knowing that Jesus had been fasting for 40 days, and saying, “Well, look here. Just turn this into bread!”

Now, there’s nothing wrong with eating bread. In fact, Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread. Yet Jesus had been led into the wilderness to fast and pray and seek the face of God. The devil was trying to get Jesus to put the bread above the will of God, saying “Pamper your flesh.” But what he was really saying was, “Commit spiritual suicide.” Jesus refused.

Jesus overcame the flesh, and you can, too. He overcame by the Word of God.

ACTION POINT:

Take 1 Corinthians 10:13 and make every effort to commit it to your memory this week:

“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 you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Then when Satan throws temptation at you, do what Jesus did: quote Scripture to him. Tell him “It is written,” and repeat this verse.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Tempted? So Was Jesus

BIBLE MEDITATION:

For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When some people read that Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” some eyebrows raise. You may not say anything out loud, but you think, “Was He really tempted in every way? Has He ever been tempted to run a red light? Or smoke pot? Or watch pornography? Yet the Bible is clear that He was tempted in all points.

When you boil it down, all temptations fall into 3 types, and Jesus was tempted in all three. 1 John 2:16 lists them:

1. The lust of the flesh (temptation for us to do something—our passions)

2. The lust of the eyes (temptation for us to have something—our possessions)

3. The pride of life (temptation for us to be something—our pride)

If you doubt it, then read about the temptation He faced in Luke 4:1-13.

Can you identify which of these 3 types of temptations are bothering you the most today? It could be all three.

ACTION POINT:

If you are a child of God, submit yourself to your heavenly Father, who wants to have all your needs met in a legitimate way. Then say, "Lord, show me the fulfillment of this desire. Father, satisfy this desire legitimately." A wonderful thing will happen: you'll begin to have your needs met. “And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers