FLEE FROM THE DEVIL

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION (1 Corinthians 10:1-13, James 4:1-10) “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful . . . . When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,r and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.s Wash your hands,t you sinners, and purify your hearts,u you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:7-10) Peter (1 Peter 5:8) James (James 4:7) and Paul 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 say that spiritual vigilance in a must if we are to resist temptation, Paul says that after the Israelites had given in to temptation while warnering in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-11), He needed to warned the Corinthians, He said to them, "“If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful . . . . When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (vv. 12-13). One way out is by turning tail and running, fleeing. Run away from, Just like Joseph did, he shed his coat in his attackers hands a run away from it. He was “flee from idolatry” (v. 14) and also “sexual immorality” (6:18). He is a good example of risiting temptation. Plus my friends, today, we have, The Holy Spirit, living insideus to help us succeed in overcoming the temptation the enemy puts in our paths. When we do not risit the temptation and we fall into sin, it is like a trap, the jaws of the trap closes in around us, and it seems like there is no way out. But I have found with much struggling, crying and praying to God for help, I was able to stop sinning. Number one, I had God's help, I had good people around me, I had a girl friend at the time and she is my wife now. I attributes my success in overcoming habitual sin to God’s work in my life, and to the help of God's peole who stood guard for me, and kept me accountable. But I had to hate my sin, and I had to make some personal life choices, which came in making some important changes. I had to flee any area, that drew me into being tempted to sin in my weaknesses. Yes, I had to watch for warrenins nd signs that God put into my life, had to risist and flee, and check my mind and mood keeping my thinking on track with the wauys of God. I had to be wary of the situation, I put myself into on a day to day bases. I had to learn to leaned on God, I also knew that I could not give the enemy a foot hold leaving an opening for temptation or sin. Then with God's help, I was able to risit the temptation and say NI to it. The bible says, “Be alert and of sober mind,”. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Believe me, Peter knew how much we all need to be watchful, He knew the enemy attacks when we least expect it, Yup, when every thing is moving along as smooth as butter, and life couldn’t be better, and we thinking, I've got this, and we've let our guard down, it is then He is on the prowl and attacks. Not only Peter has warnings, but James also, He says to His readers, "submit to God and “resist the devil.” And our enemy “will flee” (James 4:7). Inorder to flee and risit, I have had to stay close to God through Bible study and prayer. This life stile draws me closer to God and has helped me hear His voice. God comes near to us (v. 8) through His Spirit (Romans 5:5). James says too,“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10). I can honestly say, it has not been easy, the trials and temptation often keep coming. Today they do not come as often, but still I need to be on guard and know when the wrong thoughts begin to creep in. There are still moments in life when a lttle temptation seed is trying to get planted again in my mind, and I must flee from it and throw it into the garbage where it belongs. I am so thankful that O can rest in knowing the power of God in my success, and in overcoming habitual sins. He know He is with me every day, all the way, helping me through challenges and trobles. Heavenly Father, thank you for your strength and power over my sin, For when I am weak, then you are strong. Father help me draw near to you and to turn to you when I need help, rather than turning away from you in shame, for in you there is no shame or condemnation, but rather love and forgiveness as we turn to you in repentance. It is in your name I pray AMEN.