Temptation | Daily Inspiration

We struggle trying to be normal when being normal means reinforcing the things of this world and not striving to be more like Christ. We should strive to be better than normal. Our mission is to become more like Christ and not of this world.
~ Lisa Blair

Better Than Normal is a YouVersion@Bible.com 7-Day Devotional. I am sharing Day 5. It is a great thought to begin our week.

What is normal?

Normal means conforming to a standard, type, or regular pattern. The term normal usually refers to something that’s typical or natural and something that most people do, and abnormal appears to be the opposite. With that in mind, we’ll define normal in the following way: behavior that is typical, expected, and adjusts to a standard that society has put in place.

But with the amount of people who live on planet earth, is it even possible to say something is normal? What may be normal in one culture may not make any sense in another.

At times, our idea of normal gets hijacked, which causes us to panic and not know how to respond. “When will things go back to normal?” is a question we ask when things stop feeling normal or when we’re in a challenging season where the end date seems unattainable. But eventually, we get our feet steady and we say something like, “Well, I guess this is our new normal.”

What’s so appealing about normal after all? Well, we usually know what to expect, and we find comfort in it even if it’s not good or healthy. But, comfort doesn’t always equate to health. So, what if we chose to look for a life that is beyond that concept of normality? What if we pursued a life that is better than normal?

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live differently. The world tells us to follow our hearts, but we know that our hearts can be deceitful. The world says to have the perfect body, but we know that godliness should be our goal. The world tells us to put ourselves first, but we know that living a life where we give to others is more rewarding and kind.

In this Plan, we’ll look at some of the ways that normal just doesn’t cut it. Instead, we’ll learn how to change the way we live and leave the status quo behind for a better than normal life.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/rom.12.2.niv

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/1co.10.13.niv

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:16-22‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/gal.5.16-22.niv

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/php.4.6-8.niv

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/jas.4.7.niv

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/1jn.1.9.niv

James 1:13 speaks for itself. God is ALL TRUTH, therefore He cannot tempt us. We allow ourselves to be tempted/used by the evil one. I know I’ve been tempted.

Tempted and failed:

1) My parents taught me the difference between right and wrong. I attended Sunday School and was taught about temptation, but yet and still I had a friend who stole candy from the corner store every day on the way home from school. He would always try to entice the rest of us to join him. I held out for the longest, we were around nine years old. Finally, I gave in to the temptation. When I arrived home my Dad asked me where I had gotten the candy. He knew I had no money and teachers did not give candy to students for behaving back then. I already felt guilty and thought I was going to jail for stealing. He told me he was taking back me to the store (the owner was his friend) to report that I had stolen candy from him and he would decide my fate. I knew it was wrong. I was tempted and instead if standing in faith (like I did for weeks) I gave in to the devils evil ways and forsook the Word of God, ‘thou shall not steal’. I knew God could not tempt me, it had to be the evil one.

2) It was my first week on the job and we had a three/day weekend. I requested a few extra vacation days but had not yet earned the time off and the request was denied. Friends and I sailed to Catalina. Everyone else had five days vacation time, I had three. I knew I should not have gone, but it was a trip of a lifetime. I was tempted and failed. I took the trip. During the trip, I contacted my boss via Western Union, (this was long before email and cell phones) and told him there was no wind and the engine had broken, sharing that it would take a few days for repairs or according to the weatherman for the wind to pick up. This could have cost me my job, but I was young (this was a long time ago.) I felt guilty throughout the vacation, but by the grace of God, I did not lose my job. Some would have said God tempted them, but I knew it was Satan and took the bait anyway.

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Tempted and stood fast:

I worked for a management company that turned out to be unscrupulous. They wanted me to sign over a rather large check to them and threatened to tell the board president to fire me if I didn’t, but if I did they would promote me.

They thought they could persuade me. I knew this was the evil one trying to bind me. I reported the incident to the president and she fired the management company.

Temptation comes in all forms, from taking gifts from donors to cheating on tests and significant others, to major white crimes. God would never tempt us to do things outside of His Will. However, Satan tempts us every day. We know it is him because we can sense it in our spirit. The key is to acknowledge the temptation and walk away from it as fast and we can. I knew it was Satan and walked away.

Fact – God does not tempt. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy and will use every trick available to do so.

God saves. Satan Kills. God is All Truth. Satan is All lies. God gives life. Satan takes life away. All truth cannot lie. Temptation is not of God. Temptation is of Satan.

I am certain that everyone reading this has temptation experiences, some that we don’t mind sharing and others we will never reveal to another. The ones that are too hurtful or embarrassing to share can be handed over to God. Ask for forgiveness, He will never forsake you.

Images – YouVersion.Bible.com; google.com
Scriptures – Biblegateway.com

God Is AD92E5C8-496A-41FC-A9B2-0A9F9DF5D2F6-7794-0000136086803E38
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