weakness (Matt 26: 40), mental agony, fears in our heart (Matt 26:72), desires, lusts or love of the world (1 Timothy 6:9) to produce a temptation. James 1: 14-15 gives us a clear picture of how a temptation gets moulded. But does it mean that if we fall into temptation, the full blame is on Satan and the flesh? Not really! Right from the beginning of the Old Testament, we can see that God has always given us the ability to choose what we want – right or wrong. Getting a temptation is not a sin, but falling into it, definitely is. We can’t do much against getting a temptation (other than avoiding situations which can possibly give rise to temptations), but it’s us, who have to keep ourselves from falling into it! So how do we guard ourselves from falling into temptation? 1. Jesus, the Lord Himself who overcame all the temptations as a man, says “Watch and pray” (Matt: 26:40). 2. Peter, who fell into temptation many times, but later repented, got restored and did wondrous works for God, tells us “Be sober (self-controlled), Be vigilant” (2 Pet: 5: 8).
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3. Paul, who was a chosen vessel before God and who suffered a lot for His names’ sake, exhorts us, “Put on the whole armour of God” (Word of God, Salvation, Faith, Preparation of Gospel, Righteousness, Truth) (Eph 6:14-17) For all of us who think we stand, let us take heed, lest we fall. And for all of us who think we’ve already fallen, now is the chance to repent and turn back to Him. God is always ready to give us a new beginning if we repent genuinely! CL
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Confident Living
A Prayer Lord, please help me to make life a little easier for My parents—to treat them not only as people To be loved and respected but also understood and liked; Help me to realize that, in spite of my Expectations, they do not have all the answers; Help me to remember that parents can be afraid just like anyone else, and that often their fears for for what could happen to me are behind decisions I might not like; Help me to avoid trying to make them fit into Some kind of artificial mold of the perfect Parent—to accept them as they are; Help me to understand that parenthood is a Round-the-clock job at slave wages; help me not To take for granted the things they do for me; Help me to treat each day with my parents as one More blessing and to remember that a day Passed can never be relived; Above all, Lord, help me not only to love my Parents but to let them know that I really do care; help me to find ways to show my love everyday that we are together. Amen.