2024-08-04
Hebrews 2:18 NKJV
If you are serious about overcoming temptation, here are five things you must do:
(1) Think about the choices you are making, and the consequences, before you make them. Wisdom always looks ahead.
(2) Believe that you can resist temptation – because you can. “You are of God… and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NKJV).
(3) Recall how you felt when you gave in to temptation before. Guilt, condemnation, shame. These are some of Satan’s favourite weapons. When you give in to them, it’s hard to get back on your feet again.
(4) Don’t put yourself in situations where you can easily fall. If you struggle with managing your money, don’t go to the mall or shop online when you can’t afford to buy anything. If you struggle with pornography, remove the source of it from your life.
(5) Celebrate each victory, but be sure to give God the credit for it.
You will never graduate from being tempted. It’s easy to think you’re beyond stumbling, and once that happens, you make yourself an easy target for the Enemy. God wants you to trust Him for victory in every area of your life. Sheep are defenseless animals; they have no fighting skills. When they stray from the fold, they are quickly devoured by the wolf. So, they have learned that their safety and protection lie in staying close to the shepherd. And the same goes for you. Here is a promise you can stand on today: “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations” (2 Peter 2:9 NKJV).
Soul food: John 1:1-14; Matt 4:12-16; Matt 5:14-16; Acts 9:1-19
2024-08-03
1 Korintiërs 10:13 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘Wees daarom geestelik wakker. As jy gerus begin word en dink dat niks jou geestelik van stryk kan bring nie, val jy miskien juis in die kloue van versoekings en sonde. Nou praat ek nie van buitengewone versoekings nie. Die versoekings wat oor julle kom, is dieselfde as wat enige ander mens teëkom. God sal julle nie in die steek laat nie, maar doen wat Hy gesê het. Hy het mos gesê dat Hy nie dinge met jou sal laat gebeur wat jou as Christen van balans af sal gooi nie. As daar dan dinge gebeur wat jou van God se pad wil afkry, sal God jou help om die regte besluit te neem en jou dan die krag gee om te doen wat jy besluit het’ (1 Korintiërs 10:12-13 DB). ‘Die Here weet dus om dié mense wat naby aan Hom leef, uit beproewing en swaarkry te red…’ (2 Petrus 2:9 NLV).
Dit beteken nie dat God jou van versoeking sal vryskeld nie. Satan, wat ‘die versoeker’ genoem word, hou nooit op of neem ‘n dag af nie. God se doel is egter om jou sterk te maak waar jy swak was, dus is sy belofte aan jou dat ‘Hy nie dinge met jou sal laat gebeur wat jou as Christen van balans af sal gooi nie.’ Hou aan! Moenie moed opgee nie. Soos jy sterker in die Here word, sal die versoekings waarteen jy veg geleidelik swakker word, totdat hulle hulle aantrekkingskrag verloor en jy in oorwinning begin leef.
Sielskos: 1 Joh 1:1-3:10; Luk 10:38-42; Ps 78:32-39; Spr 20:1-3
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition says: “Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 AMPC).
The words “means of escape” do not promise you exemption from temptation. Satan, who is called “the tempter,” never lets up or takes a day off. But God’s goal is to make you strong where you have been weak, so His promise to you is “that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.” Keep going! As you become stronger in the Lord, the temptations you are battling will become progressively weaker until they lose their appeal and you begin to walk in victory.
Soul food: 1 John 1:1-3:10; Luke 10:38-42; Ps 78:32-39; Prov 20:1-3
2024-08-02
1 Korintiërs 10:13 NLV
Satan word ‘die versoeker’ en ‘die aanklaer’ in die Skrif genoem. Eerstens sal hy jou versoek en wanneer jy daartoe ingee, sal hy jou aankla. Hy wil hê dat jy onwaardig in God se oë moet voel. Jy is egter nie! ‘Hierdie Hoëpriester van ons kan ten volle met ons in ons swakhede saamvoel, want Hy moes presies dieselfde versoekings as ons trotseer – behalwe dat Hy nie voor die sonde geswig het nie. Kom ons gaan dan met volle vrymoedigheid na die troon van ons genadige God. Hy sal aan ons sy deernis en onverdiende goedheid bewys sodat ons op die regte tyd gehelp sal word’ (Hebreërs 4:15-16 NLV).
Wanneer jy misluk kan jy met volle vertroue na God gaan, met die wete dat Hy jou nie net sal vergewe nie, maar jou ook van die genade wat jou in staat sal stel om die versoeking die volgende keer te weerstaan, sal voorsien. Ons almal word versoek; dis ‘n onvermydelike deel van die lewe. Selfs gelowiges wat al baie jare met die Here stap, word versoek. Jy kan egter versoeking weerstaan.
Een van die eerste stappe om dit te oorwin, is om die regte dinge te begin sê. Die Bybel sê: ‘Die tong het mag oor dood en oor lewe. Hulle wat lief is om te praat, moet saamleef met die gevolge van hulle woorde’ (Spreuke 18:21 NLV). Jou woorde gee lewe aan dit wat jy sê. Begin dus om God se Woord te spreek. Jesus het gesê: ‘En Ek het julle gesag gegee oor alle mag van die vyand… Niks sal julle beseer nie’ (Lukas 10:19 NLV). Eis hierdie belofte vandag op, want God sal jou die krag gee om dit wat Hy beloof het, te doen.
Sielskos: Esra 9-10; Luk 10:25-37; Ps 78:17-31; Spr 19:27-29
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
In Scripture, Satan is called “the tempter” and “the accuser.” First, he will tempt you, and when you fail, he will accuse you. He wants you to feel unworthy and disqualified in God’s eyes. But you’re not! “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV).
When you fail, you can go to God with confidence, knowing He will not only forgive you but provide the enabling grace to help you overcome temptation next time. We all face temptation; it’s an unavoidable part of life. Even believers who have walked with the Lord for many years deal with it. Their areas of temptation may be different from yours, but Satan doesn’t give any of us a free pass. However, you can overcome temptation.
One of the first steps to conquering it is to start saying the right thing. The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV). Your words give life to what you say. So, start speaking God’s Word. Jesus said, “I give you the authority… over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19 NKJV). Claim that promise today; for what God promises, He will give you the strength to perform.
Soul food: Ezra 9-10; Luke 10:25-37; Ps 78:17-31; Prov 19:27-29
