26/07/2013 - AN ATTITUDE THAT COUNTS

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For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Psalm 18.21

Every living person on earth will face temptation sooner or later (Revelation 3.10). The Lord Jesus was tempted and so will we (Hebrews 2.17-18). But temptation in itself is not a sin; rather, to accept the invitation made to us through temptation is a sin. Those who fall into error become separated from God. Only true repentance can help those who have fallen make things right with the Lord and restore their fellowship with him.

David, the psalmist, said he had not wickedly departed from God. This means that, although he was bombarded by filthy desires, he did not stray from God’s Word. So the secret is: you may even feel weak before the tempter when he is offering you his “wonderful things”, but if you take heed to the Scriptures, focusing on them at that very moment, the devil will not succeed in making you fall.

When you are facing temptation, you can trust the Holy Spirit to make you see what is really bad in it. So, even if you stumble, you will not fall. May the “person” who refuses to listen to God’s voice depart from you. Maybe you have gone a bit far in your thoughts or desires; but when you feel the Most High touch your heart, you will no longer be interested in the lies of the devil. Seek the Lord’s forgiveness and turn away from sin.

God makes his ways known to us so that we will remain steadfast even in the midst of the devil’s temptations. If you keep walking the path that God has prepared for you, you will not fall. All creatures of hell may join forces to make you stray, but, as long as you remain steadfast on God’s Word, you will not be moved a single inch, you will not fall into transgression, even if the enemy tries his best to persuade you.

He who keeps God’s commandments does not trip and fall. The tempter will always test us with his lies, but the faithful Christian turns to what the Scriptures say and receives the help he needs. The devil will never manage to make those who are standing firm on the Rock fall. Nevertheless, those who are fooled by the devil’s “smooth talk”, straying from the paths laid down by our heavenly Father, will fall into his trap and suffer serious consequences.

How is it that the devil never managed to deceive the Lord Jesus? Because Jesus stood firm on his Father’s love for him (John 10.17), as he always did what pleased his Father. Those who act like Jesus will be loved by God as he was, and the devil will never succeed in his accusations before the divine throne.

Christ, who is faithful, will always be a threat to the devil. So strive not to fall and remember that those who stand firm on God’s Words never give into temptation. Jesus urges us to be faithful until death, so if we follow his directions, he will give us the crown of life (Revelation 2.10). So, brethren, firmly believe in what is written in the Holy Bible, so that you will never trip and fall. Watch out and take care not to fall.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares