Don't Tempt ME!

 "Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood and becomes a real killer." James 1:13

The word "temptation" is mentioned 16 times in the King James Bible. The word "tempt" is used 14 times, "tempted" 25 times, "tempting" 7 times, "tempter" twice, and "tempteth" once. For a grand total of 65 times!!!The first mention of "temptation" is in Genesis 22:1 KJV "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.", and the last is in 1 Corinthians 10:9 "We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes". 

In Genesis, Adam and Eve was tempted by Satan with an apple as a test of their faith to God. Later in Genesis, Abraham was also tempted, but by GOD himself to have a test of faith involving his son and a knife.  In the middle of the Bible, Jesus HIMSELF was tempted directly by Satan in the desert for 40 days. The last temptation in 1 Corinthians, people were warned NOT to test Christ like the Israelites did or die by snakes. I don't know about you, but I prefer to never deal with snakes, the real ones or the satanic ones.

Temptation is age-old and ever-present. It's all about those moments where you know the right choice, but the wrong one feels so enticing. In the Bible, temptation is defined as an enticement to act against God's will. The Bible identifies three sources of temptation: the devil, the flesh, and the world. For Christians, it's a test of faith and character, often resisted through prayer, scripture and accountability. It is less about never facing temptation and more about building the strength to overcome it.

Currently in the world (spiritual and physical), EVERYTHING and EVERYONE seems to be a temptation. I would give examples, but all you have to do is turn on the TV, Radio or open your eyes! It’s not the 50’s anymore people, I don’t like it anymore than you do, but this world is going to crap and unless you are from under a rock, highly secluded or practically live with a Bible in your face; you WILL be tempted!

I will even admit that my dreams have begun to warn me of specific temptations that are on the way for myself. The majority of my temptations are the flesh, Drugs/alcohol and the devil himself wreaking havoc on my body. Granted, that last one is not technically a temptation, but it is when those body pains cause me to talk or scream out like a sailor.

My only solution for any form of temptation is to just bury myself in the Bible, pray without seizing and lots of Praise music….Satan HATES all of that!

Here is a song that my Co-PilotAI wrote...its actually pretty good

Whispers in the Shadows

Verse 1: In the stillness of the night, A whisper calls my name, Promises of fleeting pleasures, A never-ending game.

Chorus: Temptation's shadow, dancing on the wall, trying to make me stumble, trying to make me fall. But I’m holding to the light, breaking through the night, with every step, I fight, to make it right.

Verse 2: The path is winding, steep and narrow, Doubts around each bend, but with Jesus as my arrow, I won't break, I won't bend.

Chorus: Temptation's shadow, dancing on the wall, trying to make me stumble, trying to make me fall. But I’m holding to the light, breaking through the night, with with every step, I fight, to make it right.

Bridge: In the heart of the storm, I'll find my calm, In the depths of the battle, I’ll find  my psalm. For the truth is a shield, and a love is my song, with Jesus as my guide,   I’ll keep pressing on

Chorus: Temptation's shadow, dancing on the wall, trying to make me stumble, trying to make me fall. But I’m holding to the light, breaking through the night, with with every step, I fight, to make it right.

Outro: The night will fade, the dawn will rise, Hope and strength within my eyes.  Temptation’s shadow, no longer in control, For I've found my peace,  I've found my soul.