In my lifetime thus far; there has been only one temptation that has been and was rewarding to me and that was; The Temptations. Yes, the Classic Motown sound of the 60’s which were comprised of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin. Now as much as I would like to reflect on that wonderful music which is considered classic today, that type of temptation is not what I will be writing about.
Let’s face reality folks; sin is a blast (for awhile) the temptation to do what is wrong get’s the adrenalin rushing and off we go to do what we have been tempted to do. And hope that we don’t get caught, because not getting caught is much of the fun. Temptation is different for individuals and temptation is the same for everyone. Anger, carousing, division, drunkenness, enmity, envy, idolatry, immorality, impurity, jealousy, reverie, selfishness, sorcery and strife. We all have the capability to exercise the above acts but it does not mean that we all do exercise the above acts. We may have at some point in our lives thought about going to a palm reader or some type of mystic that maybe found in a carnival but dared not because of fear. How about getting frustrated and thinking to just get drunk and forget about the day. This is what I mean when I say that temptation is different for individuals but the same for everyone. Here is another example Michael Jackson hit the public hard with his brothers in 1969 and like most girls his age I fell head over heels with a crush for him. I had Right On Magazine posters of him on my wall; I owned every album that came out with and without his brothers. Then I accepted JESUS as my SAVIOR and began to grow in the will of GOD, I heard in my spirit that MJ was an idol to me and that I was not to have any idols. Just in case you don’t know what an idol is; it’s a substitution for GOD’s place in your heart. Well I could not have that, so down he came without haste. But in 2007 I thought that icon was a good word for those we admired; until I soon found out that icon is the same definition as idol. So I had to just be content with enjoying his gift of entertainment until his death. I wrote all that to write this, there was a time in my life that I was an idol worshiper. What have you done with the temptations in your life? Do you over indulge with what you like? Look at the temptations above and ask yourself what is that considered? Just a few acts above are not in and of themselves sin with the exception of carousing, division, enmity, envy, idolatry, immorality, impurity, jealousy, selfishness, sorcery and strife. These tempting spirits attach themselves to you quickly and take possession of you. Anger is a natural emotion but uncontrolled anger is a tempting spirit.
Reverie is fun in moderation; however, if you find yourself at a club or party three out of four or five weeks in a month you have a problem. As a matter of fact most of us will be participating in reverie in just a few short days as we celebrate CHRISTmas and or the New Year. Some of us may drink too much but if you are one to get intoxicated often you have a spirit. Every time happy hour begins there you are; or when you get home its happy hour for you and the drinking begins. This is a temptation that is a problem for you and everyone around you. I suggest that the reader do something that I did many years ago and take each word that I provided to you or go to Galatians 5: 19-21; write down each word and look up that word in the dictionary and thesaurus, you will be surprised by what you discover.
Temptations come from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:14-15
Hey, I’m no idiot; it’s not very easy to give up a habit or a lifestyle that has been engrained within you. But know that you are an overcomer and you have courage. All you need to do is want to change and apply the Word of GOD to your life. Because there is no secret or quickness to change; it takes a desire, prayer and courage to go on regardless of what others say about you.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And GOD is faithful; HE will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, HE will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13