VICTORY OVER TEMPTATIONS II.
MEMORISE:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
READ: James 4:7-10
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
MESSAGE:
Submission to the perfect will of God is a great weapon against trials and temptations. It is wisdom for us to submit to our Present Help in the time of trouble, according to Psalm 46:1. Our closest ally in the battle of life is Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
“ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5
For us to overcome, we must submit ourselves to God, resist the devil and then he will flee from us (James 4:7). The Bibles says that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Many people fall into temptation because of pride. Romans 13:3 says:
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:”
While pride makes people think they can survive this life without God, humility and sobriety are great instruments of defense in the face of temptations. We are encouraged to humble ourselves in the sight of God so that He can lift us. However, people easily fall into trials and temptations because of their failure to live soberly in this perverse generation. James 1:14-15 says “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”. The Bibles goes further in 1 Timothy 6:9-19 says:
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil…..”
Beloved, to overcome trials and temptations, you must run to Jesus today with a sober heart, humility and the fear of the Lord. He will surely come to your aid, in the name Jesus.
ACTION POINT:
Examine your life carefully to see where and how you may have exposed yourself to temptations, ask for God’s forgiveness and commit to living a sin-free life from now.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Song of Solomon 1-4.
HYMN 28: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
