What we can learn from Jesus about temptation

The lion circled, but Jesus didnā€™t notice. He was on his knees, lost in prayer, only his lips moving. The sun beat down without mercy, the wind whipped the desert sand ā€“ there was no protection from the elements.Ā This was his 40th day without food, and the fast had stripped his body of strength. He did not look like himself. … Read More

The reason we don’t see our sin as that bad…

One of the downsides of our fallen humanity is that we have a propensity to justify our sin. We do it any number of ways. Here are a few: Justification by blame-shifting: You make me so mad when you do that. Justification by comparison: I know what I did was wrong, but it wasn’t as bad as what they did. … Read More

Top 10 biblical truths to combat temptation’s lies

The best way to defend against the tempterā€™s lie is to know Godā€™s truth.Ā  Jesus answered Satanā€™s temptations with specific scripture. Here are the top ten lies we experience when we’re tempted, and the corresponding biblical truth. The Psalmist said, ā€œI have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.ā€ (Psalm 119:11 NLT) Lie 1: … Read More

What you have in common with a fish…

AĀ friend of mine just returned from fly fishing in Arkansas. As I was reviewing some of the basics with him before his departure it reminded me of this passage in James, and how when it comes to sinful temptation we see what we want to see. Let no one say when he is tempted, ā€œI am being tempted by God,ā€ … Read More

Lessons learned from the temptation of Jesus

When we face temptation, we would do well to examine the lessons Jesus practiced when he was tempted. Here are four: (1) He was led by the Spirit of God (Matt. 4:1) Matthew records that Jesus was led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness to be tempted. We know that God cannot be tempted, neither tempts he any … Read More

The subtle shift of eyes, desires, and beliefs

The phrase they got away with murder communicates that we believe our sense of justice has been vilified. Whether on the basketball court or the courtroom we think that someone did something wrong, and that they didn’t have to pay. Such a belief nearly led to the undoing of Asaph, the writer of the 73rd Psalm. He wrote, But as … Read More

Why it feels like it somebody elseā€™s faultā€¦

Have you ever felt like you only do what you do because somebody else did what they did? In four brief paragraphs author Paul Tripp brings insights that are at once clarifying and convicting.Ā  Read them first, then go read Romans 7:14-25, and then read them again. Ā While he applies these thoughts to regret in the middle of your life … Read More

Analyzing your temptation

I learned a helpful poem when I was younger. But only recently did I begin to use it as an instrument to analyzeĀ personal temptations. I had six faithful friends, They taught me all I knew Their names were: how and what and why When and where and who. Next time you find yourself falling to a particularly stubborn temptation, analyze … Read More

7 deadly wrongs in 28 words or less

1. Wealth without work 2. Pleasure without conscience 3. Knowledge without character 4. Science without humanity 5. Commerce without morality 6. Worship without sacrifice 7. Politics without principle AUTHOR UNKNOWN Hey. They were only 28 words. Why not read them again?