Temptation came my way

I’ve been tempted.  And I have failed.

Many times.

I have beaten myself up for giving into temptation more than I can count. I have been so ashamed of myself that I have even tried to hide from God.  Pretended it didn’t happen.  I have made pacts with God and have sworn on my life…. All in the name of Jesus. Yeah, I’ve been bad.

And even made myself believe God shook my hand on all the deals I have made….. Am I the only one? Silly me.  I have even asked God why He has allowed me to stumble and fall, why He has allowed for it to knock on my door.

Until I discovered that I can only be dragged away, give into it, if the desire has been in my heart all along.  No wonder the bible says ‘of all things guard your heart the most…’

^... but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after the desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.— James 1:14

But I have learned that God is full of mercy and rich in love. You can start from scratch every single day [Lamentations 3:23][this ain’t a free ticket to live a sinful life!]. I have came to realize that I don’t need to make pacts with God, He has already made a way to forgive me… even if I have disappointed Him more than once.

Do you realize that? Know that we have a friend in Jesus, a Man who not only knows what it feels like to be tempted but who sympathizes with you and me… Even though Jesus was Jesus, He was at the time of His stay on earth, of flesh and blood—and He knows the feeling of being tempted, the struggle, the need, the rush, pumping adrenaline … that comes with the thoughts.—the tempting thoughts of giving into ‘whatever your battles are’.

Adultery, Over-eating, lies, greed, fornication, pornography, boasting, self-love, gossip, slander ~ don’t give in give it UP