By His Word “Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” —1 Peter 1:13 Some decisions become harder simply because we wait too long to make them. When we are rested, prayerful, and thinking clearly, weContinue reading “Make the Decision Before the Moment”
Tag Archives: Resisting Temptation
When the Trial Becomes a Crossroads
The Bible in a Year “Lead us not into temptation.” — Luke 11:4 There are moments when a difficult circumstance becomes more than a hardship. Weariness becomes an invitation to speak harshly. Disappointment offers an excuse to withdraw from people who need us. Financial pressure makes dishonesty seem reasonable. The trouble itself may be outsideContinue reading “When the Trial Becomes a Crossroads”
Bring Your Desires Into the Light
As the Day Ends “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” —James 1:14–15 As evening settles, we may remember moments when our desires pulled us in the wrongContinue reading “Bring Your Desires Into the Light”
When Belief Steps Out of the Church Door
On Second Thought There is a considerable difference between possessing a statement of faith and living a life of faith. We may affirm that Jesus is Lord, Scripture is true, prayer matters, temptation is dangerous, and obedience is necessary. Yet those convictions become spiritually effective only when they influence our choices, habits, relationships, and responsesContinue reading “When Belief Steps Out of the Church Door”
The Strength That Begins on Our Knees
On Second Thought There are moments when the Christian life feels more complicated than it should. We search for the right strategy, the strongest argument, or the spiritual technique that will finally make us victorious. Yet Paul warned the Corinthians that their minds could be “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 CorinthiansContinue reading “The Strength That Begins on Our Knees”
When Appetite Outruns Wisdom
On Second Thought “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” — Galatians 5:17, KJV Some of our most regrettable choices are made in remarkably short moments. We may spend yearsContinue reading “When Appetite Outruns Wisdom”
The Door God Opens in Temptation
On Second Thought “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” —1 Corinthians 10:13 TemptationContinue reading “The Door God Opens in Temptation”
The Battle Is Often Lost Before the Temptation Arrives
On Second Thought “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7 Second Samuel 11 opens with a seemingly ordinary detail: “It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle…David remained at Jerusalem.” The writer does not directly tell usContinue reading “The Battle Is Often Lost Before the Temptation Arrives”
THE ENEMY IS REAL—BUT HE IS NOT IN CHARGE
On Second Thought “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” —Colossians 2:15 War is never clean. Even when history books reduce conflict to dates, movements, and outcomes, those who have stood near battle know that war is personal. It interrupts ordinary life, separates people fromContinue reading “THE ENEMY IS REAL—BUT HE IS NOT IN CHARGE”
Wisdom Knows When to Step Away
The Bible in a Year “A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” —Proverbs 27:12 As we journey through the Bible this year, Proverbs continually reminds us that wisdom is more than possessing information. Biblical wisdom teaches us how to recognize what is happening, anticipate whereContinue reading “Wisdom Knows When to Step Away”