- The Wisdom of James
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Temptation is a real thing. Have you ever done anything stupid because of temptation? I have many stories of foolish things that I did as a teenager, but one particular story sticks out to me. When I was about 13 I was on a youth activity with my church. We went to the mall to play some game. I had never stolen anything in my life, to my recollection. For some reason, I was tempted to take a necklace that was hanging on a mannequin in American Eagle. It was a silly thing made of small seashells. The risk was exciting, but it soon turned into fear when a police officer came and began to talk to the youth pastor. My life flashed before my eyes. I was going to get taken to the slammer right in front of my youth group. That’s a great testimony for a Christian. My mom was surely going to murder me. That was it, my life was over. In a panic I threw the necklace somewhere and got as far away from it as I could. But lo and behold, the police officer was not there for me at all. He just had questions about what this group of teens was doing running around the mall. I learned my lesson that day that “Temporary happiness isn’t worth long-term pain.” I’m so thankful that God taught me that lesson in a loving way in and at an early age. It’s not worth it.
Jesus was tempted in His life as well. The devil knew just when to strike, Jesus was at His weakest. He was alone, hungry, and tired.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” – Matthew 4:1-3
The devil tempted Jesus in several different ways, but every time Jesus used scripture to fight for Him. If Christ relied on scripture to get through temptation, then you should too! Whatever your struggle there is a verse for that! Go and find it and hide it in your heart. God has good things in store for you, don’t put it all on the line for fleeting pleasure.
No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13
In Christ,
Pastor Phil