Tag: ResistTemptation

November 1, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

Standing Against Persistent Temptation

Opening Verse

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

Introduction

The enemy knows where we’re vulnerable. He knows the weak spots in our faith and will do everything to wear us down, to pester and provoke until we feel overwhelmed. This is the tactic of temptation—slow, persistent, and tailored to our most vulnerable points.

Devotional Story

A young man named David found himself tempted in a way he thought he’d long overcome. Every day, the same thoughts and desires pulled at him, trying to take hold. At first, David resisted, relying on his own strength. But each day, the thoughts grew louder, nagging at him, questioning his faith and resolve. The struggle left him feeling weary and alone, as though he was losing a battle he wasn’t equipped to fight.

One night, feeling overwhelmed, David turned to his Bible and stumbled upon James 4:7, which reads, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This simple verse reminded him of his need to rely not on his strength, but on God’s. David realized that while the enemy would continue to bother and provoke, he didn’t have to fight alone. Every time the temptation came, he would pray, grounding himself in the power of Christ to resist.

What This Means

The enemy’s persistence can make us feel that we’re bound to give in. But Scripture teaches us that when we submit to God and stand firm, we have power beyond ourselves to resist. It’s a daily surrender, a choice to let God fight alongside us. The enemy’s power pales in comparison to God’s, but we must draw close to Him and rely on His strength, not our own.

Think About This

Are there areas in your life where you feel worn down by temptation? How often do you take these struggles to God in prayer, asking Him for strength to resist?

Prayer

Dear Lord, I come to You, knowing that the enemy is relentless in his pursuit. Help me stand firm, relying on Your strength, not my own. Teach me to submit fully to You, to resist with faith, and to draw close to You in moments of weakness. Thank You for being my defense against every temptation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7 (KJV)

September 26, 2023 Devotional

A Journey from Deception to Deliverance

The Vision

In my dream, a young man in a simple white suit stood beside a beautiful yet deceptive woman. They were isolated in a wild, open field, with no one else around. The man appeared to be in a trance, as if under some sort of spell by the woman.

They walked together toward a hill by a flowing river. When he caught sight of the river and a plain brown basket full of brightly colored balloons to his right, he abruptly snapped out of his daze. Realizing the woman’s deceitful intent, he cursed her and broke off the nearly-made vow of marriage she had tried to trick him into.

He jumped into the basket, and the multi-colored balloons lifted him into the sky. Floating away, he passed over the river and rolling green hills. Along the journey, he noticed a dead tree branch with six faded pink balloons tied to it. However, he kept his focus forward, confident that he was heading toward a better place filled with friends and family.

Interpretation

In the dream, the young man in the simple white suit represents a soul striving for purity, yet vulnerable to deception. The woman symbolizes temptation and the wicked allure of the world. They find themselves alone in the wilderness, much like Jesus was tempted in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-11)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Matthew 4:1-11

The man’s initial enthrallment with the woman evokes the deceptive allure that worldly temptations often hold. Yet, he wakes from his trance, resisting the temptation, just as James 4:7 instructs,

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7

His waking from the trance is akin to spiritual awakening.

The River and The Basket:
The flowing river beside them can be likened to the “river of the water of life”.

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. symbolizing God’s eternal provisions and blessings.“

Revelation 22:1

The basket with multicolored balloons signifies the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-24.

” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Galatians 5:22-24

Breaking Free:

When the man jumps into the basket, it represents a decision to break free from sin and choose the gifts of the Spirit. He is lifted up and carried away, akin to being ‘born again’ (John 3:3) and carried by the grace of God.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3

The Faded Balloons:

The dead branch with the faded balloons that he passes symbolizes the dead branches in our life that need be cut by our Holy Gardner in order for use to bear fruit.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardner. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 1:1-2

Conclusion:

This journey from deception to deliverance underscores the power of turning away from temptation and toward God. The unknown but promising destination the man floats toward symbolizes the heavenly reward that awaits those who stay true to their faith.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”

1 Peter 5:8-9