RESPONDING TO TEMPTATION - 2 Samuel 11  The Nature of Temptation:

•  Temptation comes when your defenses are down.
•  Temptation finds your area of weakness.
•  Temptation rarely entices a good person with a “gross” sin. Instead, it entices you onto a slippery slope.
•  Temptation never presents the full consequences of sin.
  • • Sin undermines the person we want to be.
    • Sin derails the good we want to do.
    • Sin affects others besides ourselves.
    • Sin never escapes the eyes of God.

 How to Respond to Temptation:

•  Avoid temptation when possible.
•  Resist temptation with the resources God has given you.
  • • Prayer
    • The Word of God
    • Christian Friends
    • Constructive Activities
    • The Indwelling Holy Spirit

 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY  “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  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 stand up under it.”  — 1 Corinthians 10:13  From the time Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent for their disobedience, we humans have become adept at trying to deflect the guilt of our sin.  Mimicking the words of an old comedian, we say, “The devil made me do it!”  But the Word of God makes clear that we are never helpless against temptation.  God always provides us a way to do what is right.  How about we stop the excuses and take ownership of our actions?  With Christ’s help, we can be victorious over any temptation!

Critical Responses:  Lessons from the Life of David RESPONDING TO THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF FRIENDSHIP (1) Thou shalt not limit your friendships to others just like yourself.  Rather, thou shalt seek relationships that overcome differences. (2) Thou shalt not consider a friendship to be a disposable commodity.  Rather, thou shalt treasure it as a gift from God. (3) Thou shalt not value thine own exaltation above all else.  Rather, thou shalt count it all joy to contribute to a friend’s success. (4) Thou shalt not abandon a friend in time of need.  Rather, thou shalt find strength by facing trials together. (5) Thou shalt not allow others to berate your friend in your presence.  Rather, thou shalt exalt their reputation as much as honesty allows. (6) Thou shalt not hide thy affection.  Rather, thou shalt celebrate true friendship with fervor. (7) Thou shalt not speak only the words thy friend wants to hear.  Rather, thou shalt value the honest over the easy. (8) Thou shalt not treasure the company of a friend over their well-being.  Rather, thou shalt be sensitive to allow a new stage of friendship to evolve. (9) Thou shalt not break a promise, spoken or unspoken.  Rather, thou shalt be loyal and true to the end. (10) Thou shalt not expect a friendship to be without pain.  Rather, thou shalt appreciate that it was worth it. BONUS:  Thou shalt grow in understanding the friendship of God toward His children, and thou shalt model thy earthly friendships after the loving-kindness displayed by Jesus Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13  

“You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  — Matthew 5:43-44 Loving our enemies—or simply being kind to someone who has been unkind to us—is one of the most difficult demands of the Christian life.  Because it is so hard, we tend to think of it as a suggestion, the choice of a few super-Christians.  But Jesus never proposed it as an option.  It is God’s expectation that if we claim to be followers of Christ, we will adopt His manner of living and loving.  This is surely impossible on our own, but not when the forgiveness and compassion of Christ dwells within us.  He is our strength for loving those who have harmed us.

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty!”  — 1 Samuel 17:45      In everyone’s eyes but his own, David the shepherd-boy seemed like the underdog as he approached the giant Goliath.  But David understood something that the others didn’t; God was on his side because he was living for God!     Too often in life we face challenges with a defeatist attitude.  But God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  As we live for Christ, He is our strength—always more powerful than the challenges of this world!  So when you face temptation, sickness, opposition or addiction—call upon the Lord!  He can lead you to victory through His wisdom, courage and strength.

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7  We tend to have a pretty shallow perception of one another.  At a superficial glance, we often make assumptions about a person’s athleticism, success, intelligence, and even character. We’re often wrong!  Thank goodness our potential is not determined by what other people think about us.  Our Creator determines our purpose, worth and potential!  God Himself gives us new opportunities to serve and grow every day.  As we begin 2021, let’s make the most of every opportunity given to us by God to do good and make a positive impact in our world.