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Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong?? – TEMPTATION [5]

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DOES EVERYONE EXPERIENCE TEMPTATION?

A definite, undeniable – YES !!!!

Even though we want to “do” what is right/godly, we may find ourselves thinking negatively, or doing what we know is wrong. Thinking negatively of other people, doing wrong in situations or circumstances we find ourselves in, or maybe allowing ungodly thoughts to take root in our minds.

No one is above being tempted, even Jesus.  He was tempted by Satan for 40 days in the wilderness, yet He did not sin.  Read the account of Jesus’ encounter with Satan in Matthew 4:1-11.

                                temptation_of_ jesus_10

 

The Apostle Paul, formally Saul, who had an awesome/awestruck encounter with God on his way to imprison Christ followers in Damascus, shared his own struggle with his “flesh” (sinful nature) vs. the spirit (godly choices), and he wrote,

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. – Romans 7:15

I have discovered this principle of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. –  Roman 7:21-23

      Romans07v15to25a_2005

 

***BE ENCOURAGED!!  ALL IS NOT LOST***

God does not leave us alone in a cold, desolate wasteland.

Be reminded that:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When,
(not if), you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. – 1 Corinthians
10:13

God will provide you with grace and strength, in your unique situation, using your unique personality, to show you a way to out.  To give you the courage to SAY

Crowds of people protested against environment pollution in outdoor

Pray…

Lord, don’t let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:13

 

** FOR MORE ON TEMPTATION SEE MY OTHER POSTS BELOW **

A Sneak Preview – Can I Resist Temptation??  –  TEMPTATION [4],   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xc

RESPONSE TO READER’S COMMENT – Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong??  –  TEMPTATION [5] – [6],  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xZ

What Is Driving Our Temptations??  –  TEMPTATION – [7],   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-yx

 

  • Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God??  Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
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  • A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

 

Hot Off the Presses!!!!! – In Search of Balance

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Below is a newly released book written by my friend and author Margo Cook.

Check it out on Amazon.com, http://www.amazon.com/Search-Balance-Biblical-Complementarian-Egalitarian/dp/1516891724/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1443797867&sr=8-7&keywords=margo+cook

 

                                              margo book

 

In Search of Balance seeks to answer the question of whether or not Complementarianism or Egalitarianism adequately answer the questions about what the Bible has to say on the subject of women’s roles in the home and the church. The author provides a careful study of each of the relevant passages in the Bible, some well known and others often overlooked. This is followed by a look at how each of the three positions (Biblical Balance, Complementarianism, Egalitarianism) look at the passage. The goal is to provide the reader with enough information to make an informed decision for themselves as to what is the best understanding of what the Bible teaches. The book also addresses finding Biblical definitions for various words that are commonly used and rarely defined according to their Biblical use. This includes such words as equality, submission and head. In Search of Balance is a book, not only for Bible students, but also for anyone in the pew who struggles with the question of what a woman’s role should be in the home and the church.

A Sneak Preview – How Can I Resist Temptation?? – TEMPTATION [4]

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I don’t know about you, but as I start to read books, magazines, etc. questions start to pop-up in my mind.  Questions such as, yeah but what about…? Or, good to know, but now what do I do with this info…? And for me a big question knocking at the door of my psyche right now is whether or not it’s possible to resist temptation.

If you’ve had the chance to read What Gives You the Willies??  –  TEMPTATION  [1] http://wp.me/p5nZpi-vx, you would have seen near the end of the post, I wrote a number of points I am planning to blog about over the next few weeks.  You may have also noticed, that the point – Is it possible to resist temptation? is near the end of the topics covered.

So I’ve decided to give you a sneak peek into the question, Is it possible to resist temptation? so that you can begin resisting temptation today!! 🙂

 

WHAT CAN I DO IF I’M TEMPTED TO DO SOMETHING I KNOW IS WRONG:

I CAN CONSCIOUSLY MAKE A CHOICE:

– I can choose to follow God’s ways vs. the temptation.

                        following_god_l

– I can ask God to strengthen me, and give me courage to conquer my temptation.

                                   phil 4-13

 

***DO NOT CHOOSE THE OPTION BELOW***

– I can choose to follow ungodly ways, giving Satan permission to enslave me.

                              death_note__dragging_light_by_tanteisakana

————————————————————-

REMEMBER:

Be on guard, and above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. –
Proverbs 4:23
                                      guarded heart

Protect yourself, hide the Word in your heart, so that you will not sin against God. – Psalm 119:11

                                          hide word in heart

 

** FOR MORE ON TEMPTATION SEE MY OTHER POSTS BELOW **

Where Does My Desire to “Push the Envelope” Come From??  –  TEMPTATION [3],  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ws

Are ALL People Tempted to “Do” Wrong??  –  TEMPTATION [5],   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-xt

 

  • Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God??  Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
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  • A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

Are My Urges and Desires a Sin?? – TEMPTATION [2]

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TEMPTATION …  WHAT IT IS, AND WHAT IT IS NOT …

The dictionary’s definition of temptation is an urge or desire to do something, especially something you should not, or a wrong or forbidden pleasure that is enticing.

The Biblical definition of temptation is to entice to sin, to be put to the test. Our sinful nature, as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, is a person’s tendency or inclination to follow their own self-will vs. following God’s will. – brunstad.org

               cheese quote

 

Temptation is not a sin, in and of itself.  It becomes a sin once my sinful thoughts become actions. Committing a sin is something that I choose to do. Sin can not be carried out unless I agree to allow it to. – brunstad.org

SAY…   say-no-human-resources-fistful-of-talent-600x320

 

Along with the word temptation, the word sin comes up quite often.  Let’s take a moment to define sin.

Sin is…

  • Whatever weakens your reasoning
  • Whatever impairs the tenderness of your conscience
  • Whatever obscures your sense of God
  • Whatever takes away your delight for “God’s Ways”

In short, anything that increases the authority of “the flesh” over “the Spirit”, then becomes sin to you, no matter how good it is in itself.  –  Susanna Wesley, mother of John Wesley

———————————————-

TEMPTATION JUST “FEELS” WRONG —

Why?  Because God has put His moral law in every person’s conscience.

Conscience, from the Greek, is translated “moral awareness”, it is the part of the human psyche that induces mental anguish and feelings of guilt when we violate it.  And feelings of pleasure and well-being when our actions, thoughts and words are in conformity to our value systems. – gotquestions.org

The conscience…

  • Reacts when one’s actions, thoughts, and words conform to, or are contrary to, a standard, God’s standard, of right and wrong.
  • Is individual, and values can be different for every person.
  • Reliability is based on its formation by God’s Word vs the culture.  A weak value system produces a weak conscience, while a strong value system produces a strong conscience, a strong sense of right and wrong.

Sadly, our consciences can become hardened and calloused, no longer feeling anything. A person with a hardened conscience no longer listens to its promptings, and can sin with abandon, delude himself into thinking all is well with his soul, and treat others insensitively and without compassion. – Created in God’s Image by Anthony Hoekema

The conscience acts as a…

  • Barometer of sorts, used by individuals for self-evaluation

                                               barometer          

thumbs-up-down-723926

  • Alarm, warning us that if we choose to continue along a particular line of thought (lust, coveting (desiring what is not ours), sexual sin, etc. we may find ourselves in a dangerous predicament.

 

HOW CAN BE KEEP OUR CONSCIENCES SENSITIVE TO GOD’S STANDARD?

By applying God’s Word, what we read in the Bible, into our daily lives  –  Don’t just listen, (or just read – (my add.)), God’s word. You must do what it says. – James 1:22

                                                        james 1-22

** KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MY NEXT POST  –  WHERE DOES TEMPTATION COME FROM? **

 

** FOR MORE POSTS ON TEMPTATION SEE LINKS BELOW **

What Gives You the Willies??  –  TEMPTATION  [1]  –  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-vx

Where Does My Desire to “Push the Envelope” Come From??  –  TEMPTATION [3]  –  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ws

 

  • Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God??  Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
  • If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar.  Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
  • It you are viewing with the mobile version, scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional info and pics 🙂
  • Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!
  • A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

 

 

 

 

 

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41

What Gives You the Willies?? – TEMPTATION [1]

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TEMPTATION…

If I’m being honest, just saying the word temptation gives me the willies.

For me, temptation can mean a creepy-looking guy offering me an unknown substance in a dark alley…

creepy guy

 

or my so-called “friends” tempting me to drink irresponsibly, in the name of fun.

woman_friends_party_christmas_drink_70191391

 

But is this what temptation is?

Is temptation an in-your-face proposal to engage in potentially harmful behaviors?

Or can temptation instead be subtle,

like wanting to tell a white lie to avoid getting in trouble.

atehomework

 

Or, not wanting to tell the clerk she gave you too much change back.

count-change

 

Temptation is tricky thing because it has a tendency to sneak up on us.

We might be going along, minding our own business, when BAM!! a SALE!!

window display

All the cute colors, styles, and what a good price 🙂 🙂

So you open your wallet, and it’s empty, no cash 😦

empty wallet

Yeah, but you see that you have a couple of credit cards!!  Should you buy, buy, buy?? Or wait??

We’re faced with making decisions throughout the day, every day.  Some are easy, and some, not so easy.  Some are black and white, whereas, most are gray.  In some areas we may be tempted to test the boundaries, in others we are not, and visa-versa.

In this **NEW ** blog series – Temptation – we’re going to be looking at…

— What is, and is not temptation?

— Where does temptation come from?

— Does everyone experience temptation?

— Were any people in the Bible tempted?

— Who or what tempts us?

— What is the harvest (the results) of temptation?

— Is it possible to resist temptation?

We will be answering these questions and more, as we learn how we can recognize and protect ourselves from the temptations that come our way.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41

 

** FOR MORE POSTS ON TEMPTATION SEE LINK BELOW **

Are My Urges and Desires a Sin??  –  TEMPTATION [2]  –  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-vY

 

  • Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God??  Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
  • If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar.  Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
  • It you are viewing with the mobile version, scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional info and pics 🙂
  • Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!
  • A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

Close To You – AN ORIGINAL SONG [2]

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As Labor Day approaches, our family’s busy fun-filled summer is coming to an end.

My son started his junior year in high school last week, one of my daughters has settled in at college, and my other daughter will be starting her freshman year of college this week.

Our summer has been AWESOME!!  Great family/quality time with my husband and children. Unfortunately, this left little time to for me to blog 😦

I have, however, been doing a little songwriting over the summer.  I’ve just finished recording my second original song, Close To You, below.  (All vocals, guitar, bass, and lead guitar were done by me, except for the piano and drums).  I hope you enjoy it 🙂

My other song was, What Do I Want? http://wp.me/p5nZpi-uH, if you like to have a listen  🙂

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR NEW POSTS COMING AFTER LABOR DAY 🙂

 

 

  • Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God??  Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
  • If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar.  Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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  • A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com

 

Where Can I Find… Encouragement, Inspiration, Comfort, Conviction???

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Below is a small sampling of Bible verses my friend, Paula, emails to me daily.  She sends verses to me because she knows that God’s Word has the power to encourage, inspire, comfort, and convict me.

If you enjoy these verses, if they encourage, inspire, comfort, and/or convict you, there are plenty more for you to read on my page, The Bricks.., see the menu above.

 

Slide1

 

  • Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the God??  Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
  • If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar.  Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
  • It you are viewing with the mobile version, scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional info and pics 🙂
  • Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!
  • A great resource for Bible verses, Bible Topics, Commentaries, etc. – http://www.BibleGateway.com