BBD 02.17.03 When Temptation Comes

#1 · February 18, 2003, 1:44 am

Quote from Forum Archives on February 18, 2003, 1:44 am
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>

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The Burning Bush Devotional
(Over 8200 subscribers in 69 countries)

02.17.03

When Temptation Comes

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For 'he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.'" - I Peter 3:8-10.

It must have been horrifying for Lindsey Harris. She had no way of knowing the intentions of her stepmother, Clara Harris. It must have been a tremendous shock when Clara told Lindsey she could kill her husband and get away with it. Lindsey testified, "She said she could kill my father for what he had done and get away with it. She was calm, and I didn't think anything of it. I knew she wouldn't do anything like that." But she did.

How many people have encountered the opportunity to do right or to do wrong? We would call it temptation. When those ugly situations come along whether it is a cheating spouse, or the opportunity to illegally pocket some money what do we do? During times of temptation there seems to be a something drawing us to do wrong. It is not God. It may be the enemy or just our flesh. You could call it a voice but it is unlike an audible voice. However, during those times of temptations there is another voice that is speaking at the same time. That other voice is the voice of reason, the voice of our conscience and the voice of God.

Peter shares some reasons why we should listen to the restraining voice during times of temptation. Before we give in and succumb remember the rewards of obedience. Obedience opens the door to Gods blessings in our lives. Disobedience closes the door. Our lives, as we choose to obey become blessings in the lives of those around us. So, when we resist the voice of temptation we open up the door for God to bless our lives and at the same time become a blessing to those around us.

But the greatest reason of all for our choosing to obey instead of succumbing to temptation is because of Gods great mercy. During those times of temptation let us turn our eyes upon Jesus. As Peter puts it, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (I Peter 1:18-19).

So obey, be blessed and become a blessing to others remembering how great a salvation you have been given.

Copyright © 2003. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited.

If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member who would like to start receiving it. Subscribing is easy. Send a blank email to burningbushdevo-subscribe@MyInJesus.com or to subscribe to the html version send a blank email to burningbushhtml-subscribe@welovegod.org If you desire to receive a text only version of the devotional you can make the change yourself by going to www.injesus.com click "Click Here" in the upper right hand corner login with your email address and password click the My InJesus tab at the top of the page click the My Profile in the My InJesus box on the left click Pure text.

If I can help you in any way please contact me at wrather@logixonline.net

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Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>

Please sign the GuestMap at The Burning Bush website. You can plant your country's flag on the map and leave a message. You can find it on the front page at http://www.theburningbush.org

The Burning Bush Devotional
(Over 8200 subscribers in 69 countries)

02.17.03

When Temptation Comes

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For 'he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.'" - I Peter 3:8-10.

It must have been horrifying for Lindsey Harris. She had no way of knowing the intentions of her stepmother, Clara Harris. It must have been a tremendous shock when Clara told Lindsey she could kill her husband and get away with it. Lindsey testified, "She said she could kill my father for what he had done and get away with it. She was calm, and I didn't think anything of it. I knew she wouldn't do anything like that." But she did.

How many people have encountered the opportunity to do right or to do wrong? We would call it temptation. When those ugly situations come along whether it is a cheating spouse, or the opportunity to illegally pocket some money what do we do? During times of temptation there seems to be a something drawing us to do wrong. It is not God. It may be the enemy or just our flesh. You could call it a voice but it is unlike an audible voice. However, during those times of temptations there is another voice that is speaking at the same time. That other voice is the voice of reason, the voice of our conscience and the voice of God.

Peter shares some reasons why we should listen to the restraining voice during times of temptation. Before we give in and succumb remember the rewards of obedience. Obedience opens the door to Gods blessings in our lives. Disobedience closes the door. Our lives, as we choose to obey become blessings in the lives of those around us. So, when we resist the voice of temptation we open up the door for God to bless our lives and at the same time become a blessing to those around us.

But the greatest reason of all for our choosing to obey instead of succumbing to temptation is because of Gods great mercy. During those times of temptation let us turn our eyes upon Jesus. As Peter puts it, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (I Peter 1:18-19).

So obey, be blessed and become a blessing to others remembering how great a salvation you have been given.

Copyright © 2003. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited.

If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member who would like to start receiving it. Subscribing is easy. Send a blank email to burningbushdevo-subscribe@MyInJesus.com or to subscribe to the html version send a blank email to burningbushhtml-subscribe@welovegod.org If you desire to receive a text only version of the devotional you can make the change yourself by going to http://www.injesus.com click "Click Here" in the upper right hand corner login with your email address and password click the My InJesus tab at the top of the page click the My Profile in the My InJesus box on the left click Pure text.

If I can help you in any way please contact me at wrather@logixonline.net

Subscribe to the Burning Bush Prayer Group. Send and receive prayer
requests to over 300 members. Send a blank email
to: BBPG-subscribe@MyInJesus.com

Subscribe to the Burning Bush Inspirational Group. Send and receive
inspirational material to over 100 members. Send a blank email
to: bbinspire-subscribe@MyInJesus.com

Subscribe to the Burning Bush Restoration and Recovery Group for those with
addictions or recovering from addictions. Receive devotionals and
inspirational material directed toward those with addictions. Send and
receive prayer requests. Over 200 members. Send a blank email
to: tbbrr-subscribe@MyInJesus.com