Daily Thought for Monday, October 17th

October 17, 2011

Temptations

Today’s Thought:

“Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.”  – Anonymous

Today’s Quote:

“While forbidden fruit is said to taste sweeter, it usually spoils faster.”  – Abigail Van Buren

Today’s Question:

When it comes to temptations, would you agree that one should; “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing great or small, large or petty, - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense?” – Winston Churchill

Today’s Bible Verses:            1 Corinthians 10:12-13  &  James 1:12-16

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Adam did not want the apple for the apple’s sake, he wanted it only because it was forbidden."  –  Mark Twain

Every child faces it: every adult succumbs to it – there is not one of us who has not been tempted by something, at some point, and we have given in.  For most of us it is that extra helping or the piece of pie or cake we shouldn’t eat because we are on a diet.  These temptations are not of the devil and thought we often like to quip, ‘The devil made me do it;’ does not apply.

In fact the devil can’t make us do anything: he can only tempt us: it is our choice as to whether or not we give in.  Only one person has ever successfully resisted temptation one hundred percent of the time, and that was Jesus.  That is why we are told in scripture that when we give in to temptation and sin – we need to be diligent to repent, confess our sin to God and ask for His forgiveness – which He promises to give.

Temptations both naturally and spiritually are a part of life and there is no way to completely shield our selves from them.

But here are a few suggestions from anonymous sources:

“He who flees temptation should not leave a forwarding address.”

“If God bolts the door, do not climb through the window.”

“No one can be caught in places he does not visit.”

“When you meet temptation, turn to the right.”

And here is a good one to remember:

“Unless there is within us that which is above us, we will soon yield to that which is around us.”

When it comes to temptations we might be wise to head these words:

“Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.” – The Bible (Proverbs 7:24-26)

When it comes to temptations as Mark Twain said, “It is easier to stay out than to get out.”

The Bible says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” –   (James 4:7)

Temptation will undoubtedly come knocking on your door: will you answer, will you invite it in, or will you send it on its merry way?

Today’s Prayer:

Father, grant me the strength to overcome temptations and if I give in; help me to learn from my mistakes and apply more restraint and energy into resisting them when they come around again.