Monday, September 12, 2011

man’s oldest problem…

JESUS CHRIST came to earth to teach us a few things.  HE came to say you’re not here by accident.  GOD made you for a purpose, HE loves you, there’s niche for you.  the problem is, the bible says, that we’ve all gone our own way, done our own thing, made foolish choices, made decisions where we didn’t consult GOD but did what we wanted to do.  the bible calls that sin.  we choose to do what we want to do rather than checking in with the LORD so as a result, we’re separated from GOD.

GOD feels far away and distant.  JESUS CHRIST came to be the bridge.  HE died on the cross to make a way back for man.  you only need to make one major decision in your life:  who’s going to be number one in your life?  i challenge you to put JESUS CHRIST on the throne of your life.  it will produce incredible stability and as you lean on him moment by moment you’ll find guidance.

that is an extremely important decision for you to make.  but now james deals with what GOD has to say about man’s oldest problem: temptation.  we all eventually face it.  sometimes even when we know what’s the right thing to do it is difficult to say “no”.  it is difficult. 

oscar wilde once said, “i can withstand anything except temptation.”  the only way to get rid of temptation is to give in to it.

now the bible talks about two different kinds of testings.  one is called trials, the other is called temptations.  both of them use the same word in greek – “peirasmos”.  sometimes it is translated “trials” sometimes “temptations.”  it doesn't matter because sometimes a situation can be both a trial and a temptation but to distinguish them – trials are situations designed by GOD in order to help us grow and temptations are designed by the devil in order to cause us to sin.

james 1.12 (kjv), blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the LORD has promised to them that love HIM. 

there is a prize, a reward for enduring temptation.  it says, blessed – happy.  happiness comes from having your life under control so that there is no bad habit that is devastating you.  when you know how to say “no” to temptation it produces happiness in your life.

just a thought from the front porch…

1 comment:

DLSL said...

Everybody has to face varying degrees of trials and temptations everyday. But throughout my short years on earth, I find that trials and temptations prefers to visit those closest to God more than the others. Don't you think so, too, sir?