Overcoming Temptation

  How can I overcome temptation?

As it has been said, our battles are in our mind.

The Bible often speaks of the heart. In many verses, the heart is describing our mind where our thoughts are. For example, "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" - Matthew 9:4 KJV (Luke 24:38, Act 8:22, James 4:8).

One of Thayer’s definitions of heart is, “the center and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors…”

Proverbs speaks of our heart, but we can see the meaning is our mind:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." - Proverbs 4:23 KJV Another translation of this verse, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." - Proverbs 4:23 NLT

We need to guard our mind. Our senses are exposed to the world around us. We can make choices that limit temptations, by choosing carefully what we look at, and what we listen to.

Often, we do not choose the things we are exposed to (what we see, what we hear). We can, however, choose if we will allow our mind to think on these things. We must guard our minds, continually being aware of our thoughts. If we are being tempted, or having an evil thought, we must put it out of our mind. 

"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 [And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else]: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [desires], and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin [These desires give birth to sinful actions]: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:13-15 KJV

When we are an overcomer of temptations, Jesus gives us His promise.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [who remains steadfast under trial]: for when he is tried [for when he has stood the test], he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:12 KJV

[God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. NLT]

Added to the Church

How in the Bible were they added to the church?

On the Day of Pentecost, when the church began, Peter preached the gospel.

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:22-24 

Peter preached to them the gospel of Jesus, of His death, burial, and resurrection.

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." - Acts 2:36 

They responded with repentant hearts.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 

Peter told them how to obey the gospel.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 

Peter told them of the promise of the Holy Ghost.

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:39 

He urged them to obey the gospel.

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:40 

They then received the gospel and obeyed it. (Mark 16:15-16).

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 

This is how they were added to the church.

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ... praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:42, 47

One God - His Name is Jesus

"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me." - John 12:44-45 KJV

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." - John 8:24 KJV

Church!

Sunday is Time for Church!

When Solomon dedicated the Temple of God by prayer, fire came down from heaven consuming the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house. The sacrifices he offered were acceptable to God.

"Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." - 2 Chronicles 7:1 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, when the 120 were praying in the upper room, cloven tongues like as of fire sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. 

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2-4 KJV

Because they were acceptable living sacrifices, Jesus consumed them with the fire of His Spirit. (Matthew 3:11). The sign of His acceptance was their speaking in tongues as His Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:43-48, Acts 11:15-17, Acts 19:1-7, Acts 2:38-39).

Time for church! Let’s worship Jesus and be consumed with the fire of the Holy Ghost!

There is One God - Jesus is His Name

 

The Wrath of the Lamb

 The Wrath of the Lamb

How could a lamb, the symbol of gentleness, have wrath?

Jesus is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29). As the Lamb, His visitation to man is one of gentleness and mercy.

Yet Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, has two Divine Attributes. He has the Divine Attribute of Mercy, as well as the Divine Attribute of Justice and Judgement.

Jesus told His people when He dwelt among them that He did not come to walk among them in judgment; He came to them in mercy, love, and forgiveness.

"…for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." - John 12:47 

Jesus took up a cross and died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead. After 40 days of witnessing of the power of His resurrection, His disciples watched Him ascend up to heaven. We will see Him again in the clouds at the time of the rapture, the first resurrection.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus [believers who have died] will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord [still living when the Lord returns] shall not prevent them which are asleep [will not meet Him ahead of those who have died].

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ [believers who have died] shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 

Those that are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, know Him in His Divine Attribute of Mercy.

Those that are left in the world, shall meet the Lamb of God with His Divine Attribute of Judgment.

"And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" - Revelation 6:15-17 

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 6:2 

"… Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:37-39

Church!

 

Church!

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." - Psalm 16:11

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." - Psalm 122:1

"I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High." - Psalm 9:2 

"Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. ... Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:2, 4-5 

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." - Titus 2:11-14 

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" - 1 Peter 1:8

Give thanks and praise His name JESUS!