KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27:40 KJV And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

The book of James says, one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed, when lust has conceived it bring forth sin. James 1:14,15. When the Lord hanged on the cross, some of the people wagged their heads and said, He says he would pull down the temple and raise it up in three days. If you are the Son of God, then set your self free and come down. At the beginning of the Lord’s ministry the devil used a similar word to tempt Jesus. This was Satan speaking through the people.

 EVERY PROMPTING TO SIN IS THE VOICE OF THE DEVIL

The Lord could not be tempted then, neither could he be tempted now. He did not react to any of the satanic suggestions. This trick failed this second time.

The Lord was decided about His stands. He would not be moved by the words of those people. Dear one are you being tempted about one thing or another?

 To know you are tempted means you know what God expects of you.

To be tempted means you have not decided on your position for God. Remember A DECIDED MIND CANNOT BE TEMPTED.

In Genesis 39, Joseph could not be tempted because he had decided to please God any day and at any time. Dear one take a stand for God.

The Lord spent some moments of prayer and received grace or ability from the Spirit. He advised the disciples, to watch and pray, so they would not enter into temptation. What was the Lord saying to the disciples, as well as all men? He meant be ready any day to overcome any prompting to act against God’s way. Temptation is when the flesh takes over the control over the individual whiles his Spirit is relegated to back. To be carnally minded, or to be led by the flesh is death. Rom 8:6,7. Jude says in Jude 1;23b “…hate the garment spotted by the flesh.” What would it cost us, if Jesus, had decided to respond to their words? The results of yielding to temptation is always grievous. In Judges 26:21 The cost of yielding to temptation for Samson was the lost of his eyes, his anointing and his life.

To Joseph the rewards of overcoming temptation was, becoming a Prince in a foreign land.

THOUGHT:  SETTLE IT ONCE AND FOR ALL, TO ALWAYS BE ON THE LORD’S SIDE

FURTHER STUDIES

Gen. 39:10 KJV “And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph Day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.”

Gen. 39:12 KJV “And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out”.