"WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT TEMPTATION"

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Hint " (13) "Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. " (14) "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed, " (James 1:12-14).

The Bible says that temptation is a part of every person' life (1 Corinthians 10:13). The source of temptation is Satan (Luke 22:31-32; Matthew 4:1-11). Temptations come in the form of enticement to do evil (Genesis 3:1-13). The Bible says that Satan tempts us when we are weakest in terms of self-control (1 Corinthians 7:5). Temptation is designed to lead us into sin and spiritual death (James 1:15-16). The Bible also says that in times of great temptation some people fall away from the Lord and become caught up in sin (Luke 8:13).

The Bible says that Jesus was tempted in every way we are today, but He resisted and did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). Because of this the Bible says, "For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted " (Hebrews 2:18). The Lord has promised to help godly people overcome temptation (2 Peter 2:9).

The Bible says that wealthy, affluent people are especially enticed to sin because of what their riches can bring them (1 Timothy 6:9). This can be overcome through prayer and a change of priorities regarding earthly things (Matthew 26:41; 1 John 2:15-17). Also, the Bible says, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him, " (James 1:12). Temptation is an experience that has to be endured no matter how difficult it may be to do (James 1:12). The Lord endured excessive temptation in a very direct and extreme fashion for as long as forty days at a time without succumbing to it (Luke 4:2). As remarkable as this seems the same is possible for godly people today if we will be aware of the escape from temptation that God provides (1 Corinthians 10:13).

David Decker              

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