A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Chris Musgrove of Future Now)
Scripture for the Day – January 15, 2020
James 1:12-17: Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
God is not the tempter. That is spelled out in verse 13. We also know from scripture in Genesis 3 that Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. And in Luke 4 Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness.
In John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in Luke 11. In verse 4 He says, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
I Peter 5:8: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
I Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” No temptation will overtake you if you are submitted to God and His Word.
James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Someone once asked me, “How do you resist the devil?” By staying submitted to God and His Word. That’s what Jesus did in the midst of the temptation in Luke 4. When he quoted from God’s Word the devil left Him.
I John 2:14 says, “I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
Stay submitted to God’s Word because the Word makes you strong and by it you resist the evil one.
The devil will leave you just like he left Jesus,
