No Temptation...

 

I am tempted to worry, a lot. Since worry is a sin, I don't want to do it. I have decided to quote 1 Corinthians 10:13 each time I fret about something. Jesus gives me the power to obey Him; I need to trust Him for that power. Praise God for the strength He gives when we say His Word with conviction and believe. The Lord has brought me through temptation many times and what helped me was I quoted that verse by reading it from a 3X5 card until the temptation went away. I was trying to study for an exam. As I sat at my desk in my home, I must have stopped study every 30 seconds because the wrong thoughts came into my head. Each time, I picked up the card and read the Scripture aloud. Soon it was every minute, then it was five minutes apart. Soon the thoughts only came every 10 minutes, and then 20 minutes, and finally the temptation went away. You see, God is true to His Word. Jesus said, "...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,"  as Paul quoted Jesus' word in 2nd Corinthians 12:9. It did not occur to me that worry is just has sinful as other sins and I will "...take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." as Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 10:5.

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 

1 Corinthians 10:13

Some of you might be thinking, "Worry, a sin?" Well, yeah it is. If I am worrying, I am not trusting God. If I am trusting God, I have nothing to worry about because He is faithful. So, what am I concerned about right now? Well, it is broken family relationships. God is in the business of restoring relationships. I should know by now that He can solve any problem I have and do it better than I ever could. Here's the thing, will I trust Him even if the family restoration does not happen here on earth in my lifetime? I am mouthing the words and nodding my head that yes, I will love and trust God even if I don't get what I want in this life. By faith the Children of Israel kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the death angel would not come near their home. By faith Jochebed, Moses' mother trusted God when she hid her baby in the basket and placed him in the Nile. By faith Ruth believed in God and trusted Him with her life as she went lovingly with Naomi to Bethlehem to live with people unknown to her. By faith I can get out of a bad habit of fretting. It's almost second nature with me, but it is sin to be pouting rather than thanking God. Some folks might say it's easy to live the Christian life, you don't have to keep the law written in the Word of God as the Jews must do, especially the dietary laws. But listen up, Jesus wants us to be holy. Jesus did not just say, not to commit adultery, He said, "...but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28 He wants our thoughts to be pure, not only our actions. 

By the power of the Holy Spirit and by the power of God's Word we can overcome any temptation that is displeasing to God.  We cannot do it in our own strength.

Enjoy your day, 

Kathi