Read James 4:1-10.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7.
There are battles within us. Most often, they are rooted in our personal desires. The devil is a strategist who entices our flesh by tempting us. He wants us to fall into the temptations he presents to us.
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak" Matthew 26:41.
Temptation is not yet sin, it is in the split-second decision that we can sin if we give in. Our desires are not sin either, it is when we cannot detach ourselves from it and see it as our source of fulfillment that it becomes a sin. It hinders our relationship from God. Sin is an illegitimate means to our legitimate needs. What do we do when we are faced with temptation?
WHAT TO DO WHEN FACING TEMPTATION:
1. Submit to God.
2. Resist the Devil.
WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN FACING TEMPTATION: Resist first.
Resisting is not the first step. Resisting first makes us fail. We need the grace of God when we resist. When we resist first, we focus more on “resisting” and in the things that we’re missing out on. The devil is an expert in this area. It is not our battle!
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12 .
“So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty” Zechariah 4:6.
The grace of God comes to us as we resist when we humble ourselves and submit ourselves to God.
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5.
SUBMISSION TO GOD STARTS WITH A DECISION.
The world offers temptation as an instant solution to our needs, but in the long run, it will not be good for us. When we decide to submit to God, we face Him and turn our backs on the things that we seem to be “missing out” on.
SUBMISSION TO GOD IS LIVING A LIFE OF SURRENDER.
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” James 4:8.
Living a life of surrender to God is allowing God to take the driver’s seat.
LIVE A SURRENDERED LIFE
Are we living a life of surrender? What do we do when temptation hits us?
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