Temptation - attacked by the enemy

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. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. James 1:13-14 NKJV

This is a hard topic. Temptation comes to everyone. No one is exempt. We are tempted because the enemy wants nothing more than to destroy what God has created good. Temptation is not sin. It doesn’t separate us from the Father. Temptation often comes when we allow a trigger to go off. For myself it has to do with insecurities and frustrations that I allow.

We fight off temptation by filling ourselves with scripture and choosing to be vulnerable and allowing community to come into our space and pray with us. So many times I have been fighting alone and I’d call my accountability person and the temptation would leave. The devil has no right or authority to torment the people of God but he will continue to try just as he tempted Jesus. Jesus came to live with us, to show us it’s possible as humans to dwell in communion with our Father. He is holy.

Sin is never worth it. Sin separates us and brings shame and condemnation. Don’t give into the temptation. It’s not worth it. Surround yourself with community who have your back and are willing to fight with you.

James said temptation comes when we are drawn away of our own lusts and enticed. We are born in sin and we need to be born again into the Kingdom of Heaven. As we grow into sons and daughters of the Father our desires change into God desires and our dreams become God dreams and our thoughts become God thoughts. As this happens we are no longer drawn away of our own lusts because we are crucifying our flesh and entering into new life.

In closing, temptation can cause us to draw near to the Father or away from him. As we fight this battle let’s join hands and stand for our brothers and sisters and fight, not because we are scared of the devil, but because it’s a good fight and Jesus is worthy.

Joe McNally