Fleeing Temptation

What do we do when we are confronted with temptation? Because of our flesh, desires and temptation will come in many shapes and forms. Temptation is, by definition, something we desire to do that we know we shouldn't. The more we are walking with God, the more we are capable of fighting against temptation.

Joseph was a man of God who was confronted with a common temptation: lust. the wife of a powerful Egyptian official tried to seduce Joseph. But Joseph, because he was walking with God, was able to flee (Gen. 39).

Thomas Brooks writes: "There is no drawing of a curtain between God and you. When you are in secret-consider that God is present.... The godly are dissuaded from wickedness, upon the consideration of God's eye and omniscience. Joseph saw God in the room-and therefore dared not yield to lust."

We live in a spiritual world, even if we are not always conscious of that fact. When we give into sin, there are spiritual ramifications. God has called us to resist sin. If we resist sin, the devil will flee from us. We should resist sin because God is there with us, not simply watching, but actively offering the means to overcome temptation.

Temptation may seek to corner us, and it may try to make us feel alone. However, don't forget that even in the midst of temptation God is there.

Living Life

Jesus: Ever Present Mediator

When you die, you will stand in the throne room of God. While you are there, you will be confronted with your entire life and every little thing you have done. Every record of wrong will be presented as evidence against you to condemn you to Hell. We may have thought of ourselves as good and decent people, but in the great throne room of heaven, we will see ourselves for who we really are.

This is where Jesus comes in. For those that call upon the name of the Son of God, there is freedom and redemption. With His blood, Jesus has blotted out all of our transgression. Every record of wrong is thrown away, never to be remembered again. Even though all our "righteous deeds" are like disgusting rags before God, through Jesus we are made clean, white, and as pure as freshly fallen snow.

J.C Ryle writes: " What hope of salvation could we have if there was not a Mediator between God and man? Before the eye of the ever-present God-our best righteousness is filthy rags-and our best doings are full of imperfection!...Without Christ- the prospect of death, judgment, and eternity would drive us to despair!"

But, by His grace, God gave us someone who would always contend for us, who continues to fight on our behalf. His name is Jesus, our ever-present mediator.

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God Contends with Us

Is it better to ignore a child who is screaming, or to punish that child? Sometimes it is best to ignore someone who is screaming but not to the point of negligence. Sometimes it is best to punish children, but not at the risk of abuse. God treats rebellious people in both manners, but all for a simple purpose: He wants to instructs us in the proper way (not the way that seems the most gratifying).

Thomas Watson points to Job 5:17, which says, "Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." Watson further explains, "Persecution is a rod, yes-but for all that it is a blessed rod, it is a healing rod. Though the rod smarts-yet it saves the soul.... Affliction is like throwing a bag of money at another person; it may bruise him- but it enriches him."

God corrects us when we stray because He loves us. He is always present in our lives, and He wants to see us succeed. God corrects us because we matter to Him. He does not wish to see us fall to the depths of darkness.

God is not cruel. He doesn't want to see us hurt. He seeks to love, comfort, and encourage us. He desires to ultimately build us up. God is always present in our lives, molding us into the men and women He wants us to be.

Living Life