DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-05-14
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹² So be careful. If you are thinking, “Oh, I would never behave like that”—let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin. ¹³ But remember this—the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation’s power so that you can bear up patiently against it.

OBSERVATION: For the Christian, it seems like Satan turns up the heat a little each time that we seem to get closer to the Lord. For the non-believer, it seems like Satan will do the same when he notices that you are beginning to listen to the voice of God. So how are we to deal with this problem? The answer is included in our verses today, so let’s take time to meditate on the Word of God, for He alone is able!

APPLICATION: Some of the worse examples of temptation that we see, is when a pastor, or shepherd, or protector of the flock, or messenger of God is drawn into temptation. For we see not just the individual filled with embarrassment, but his wife and kids will often leave town because of the hurt and embarrassment; churches are often drastically impacted by the bad press and the embarrassment THEIR pastor has brought on them; and the word seems to standby jeering at the individual and the church for a ‘holy’ man doing just as badly as a son of the world who has never darkened the doors of a church. So we see where temptation could be brought upon the Christian as well as the world. Why? Why would God not protect His own messengers? Friends, I believe that God was very deliberate in having this lesson included in His Word, because He knew that His servants/His children/His church members, as well as His other kids that refuse to recognize Him as Lord, would continue to face temptation until the day He returns to take us out of this sinful world. But why would God make individuals with this weakness? I believe that God created man in His own image, for the purpose of worshiping his creator. Throughout God’s Word we could see where He did everything possible to facilitate man turning to a right relationship with the one true God, and although some believe, many still don’t believe in God nor do they allow Him lordship over their lives. As in this case where Paul had to deal with believers in the Corinthian church being drawn into temptation, God knew that this would continue as long as we are around sin. So in Revelation 3:10 God promised us that He would keep us from temptation. Friends, I believe that God wants more than anything, for us to be what He designed us to be. It is very obvious He would do whatever is needed to help us be obedient to His Word, worship Him and be with He and the Father in glory some day soon. Temptation is very high on the list of things that throw His children who are trying to live worthy of our calling. Let us therefore seek to be more like Jesus in everything that we do or say, and to seek His power in every aspect of our lives, for His glory alone. Perhaps when we do this, unbelievers will see Jesus in action and be convinced to surrender their all to Him also.

PRAYER: Lord, please lead us not into temptation, for thine is the glory, the honor and the praise. You promise to keep us faithful and strong from the sin that temptation brings into our lives, Lord. So I humbly pray that You may be very real to my readers and I today as we enter into this wicked world that is poised to temp us and try us. May Your holiness and Your power be evident in everything we do and say, and may we submit to Your direction in everything we do so that You may freely keep us from all harm and temptation. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!