lies of temptation

When I finished reading my bible study this morning, and journaled all I could out of it, I felt nothing.  For the first time in 85 days I didn't feel HIM teaching me anything.  As I sat there wondering how I was ever going to be able to write today's blog I heard HIM say, "take your journal to church, you will need it."  So today for the first time I took my journal to church with me, and prayed, "Dear Lord, please help me understand what it is you are trying to teach me."

This past week I read some very provocative reading material, of which D approved, however I sensed that the HOLY SPIRIT did not.  However, I chose to ignore the nagging feeling I was getting that HE didn't want me to read such things.  I argued, that if D didn't mind, then it shouldn't be a problem.  I argued that it wasn't coming in between our marriage, so what's the big deal?  I can almost see HIM shaking HIS head at me saying, "Heather, Heather, Heather, let me teach you today why."

HE began to remind me that my daily declarations for the month of August have been about purity, and keeping your thoughts pure.  They were also talking about keeping the spirit of Jezebel out of my life.  I thought to myself, " I am being faithful to my marriage, and honoring to D, as I didn't hide it from him, in fact he said he was ok with it."  What I quickly learned today within the first five minutes of today's message from my pastor was this, "It was NOT honoring to GOD."

That very thought grieves me, as I strive to be more and more like HIM with each day passing.  I strive to do what it good, pleasing, and honoring to HIM.  I know that GOD has blessed me with HIS wisdom to see the error of my ways, in revealing to me how I fell prey to Satan's lies of temptation.

"if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

I know that I must choose to make the best possible decisions I can make, based on biblical principles and common sense.   I must choose to do what it is right, and NOT fall prey to the lies of temptation.  Today I learned that I attend church every week to help me "survive" in the "wilderness" of this world.

Today GOD allowed me to learn this lesson twice.  First in my bible study, at home during my reading, and then again at church, where my Pastor delivered  the exact same message.  I  know that some of us are slower than others and today I am so thankful for HIS second chances.  Today I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father loves me enough to reiterate HIS Daily Teaching for my life today.  

When I heard my pastor speak about how JESUS himself was tempted 3 times by Satan and threw HIS Heavenly FATHER'S words in the devil's face, all I could do was smile, HE had my attention.  Today I learned that like JESUS, GOD can, will, and does give me the power and the strength to resist the lies of temptation.  I must choose to take the step towards my SAVIOR, and walk away from sin.

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:1-4

In reading that scripture twice today I found it very comforting, that JESUS knows how I am feeling when I am being tempted.  HE understands, and knows, and HIS HOLY SPIRIT will guide me to resist the temptation, I must trust and allow myself to be HOLY SPIRIT LEAD.  When I  heard my pastor speak those words this morning, I about fell off my chair.  It was as if though GOD himself was standing over me saying,  "DO YOU HEAR ME NOW?"  I can honestly say, "Yes I hear you now, and LORD JESUS please forgive me as I have sinned."

I know that the times where I have felt like I am in the wilderness I know that I am not alone.  I know that those are the times where I need to dig deep into HIS word and wait for HIM to show up.  HE has proven to me time and again, that when I seek HIM I will find HIM, and HE will guide me, and make my paths straight.  I have learned that HE is my rock, and with HIM I don't have to be afraid of anything.   I have learned that HE will give me the strength to fight whatever temptation I may be up against.  

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." Hebrews 4:15

As the message in church went on today, I felt HIS love pouring over me. I could almost feel HIM holding me and letting me know that HE will help me resist any and all temptation.  I know that I must choose to get out of HIS way, and let HIM lead me.  I know that I must not care what people think of me when speaking of HIS truth, as I am not in this to be famous.  I am however about making JESUS famous.  

I have learned over the past eighty five days that every single moment of my life the devil is right at my  heels.  He is at my heels, and my families heels.  The devil is out to destroy my marriage and my family.  I have learned that he is out to destroy my life.

Bill Hybels writes in "Whispers" a guideline of how to discern the devils lies of temptation.  Bill breaks them into five lies.
LIE #1 ~ I am an adopted child of GOD- no daughter of HIS would make such a mess.
TRUTH# ~ I am HIS daughter, the daughter of the KING! I am forgiven, and I am saved! When I mess up I repent and I am forgiven!  HIS mercies are new EVERY morning!  I am saved by HIS grace and HIS grace alone!  I cannot pay a debt that has already been paid for me!

LIE #2 ~ A HOLY GOD will never forgive a sin like that.  GOD will be eternally angry.
TRUTH# ~ HIS grace is all sufficient!  HE knew I was going to mess up long before I did!  HE builds and strengthens my faith in HIM through each trial I go through in my life!  I will receive the gift of eternal life, when I turn from my sins, and run towards HIM, seek HIM earnestly and allow HIM to create in me a heart just like HIS!

LIE #3 ~ My family and friends will NEVER forgive me, or respect me once they find out what I've done.
TRUTH# ~ The people who love me and know me best, know that I am not perfect. They do know that I am real, and I struggle just like everyone else.  They know that when I am feeling convicted I do everything I need to do to make things right with GOD.

LIE #4 ~ My church will never open its arms to me again.
TRUTH# ~ My church is GOD's house, and there is NO condemnation in GOD's house EVER!  We are not there to be judged, but to be loved.  When all is said and done we all fall short of the glory of GOD!

LIE #5 ~ GOD will never use me again as my sin has mocked GOD
TRUTH# ~ HE can, will, and does use me even when I mess up!  HE especially uses me as a living testament of just how amazing HIS love, and grace truly is!  I know that because I am willing to put myself out there with this blog that people who are broken and lost are being reached.  I know that my story is a living testament that is stocked full of sin, and how HE has turned it all around and made things come together for my good!  My story is of hope, that HE knew the plans for my life, and I didn't have to stay in the wilderness forever and feel alone!

GOD is equipping me with HIS wisdom so that I can and will be alert during my daily walk's in the wilderness.  

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

I must choose to live on every word that comes from GOD's mouth.

"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." Deuteronomy 8:2-3

I believe in the BIBLE it its entirety.  I do NOT pick and choose what to believe in it.  I believe that GOD wrote the bible to teach me how to live my life everyday.  I believe that just as I am writing this blog, GOD used all the people in the bible to share their stories as living testaments of just how amazing HIS grace truly is.  I believe that GOD speaks to me through HIS words in the BIBLE.  I know that I can't take GOD's word and pick and choose what I like, and throw out what I don't like.  I know that when I "feel" like not listening to what HE is saying to me, I know that is when HE is doing HIS greatest works in me, as HE is going after my pride, and is waiting to humble me.  

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I know the more that I seek HIM, the more I am convicted to turn from my sins.  I have learned that it is in the wilderness  that I find HIM and HE is ready and waiting to teach, lead, and guide me every moment of my life.  

Today's final word during the message was this, "Watch the Throne!"  

"Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelations 5:5

Today I am humbled and honored to pray for you that if you don't know just how amazing HIS grace is that you will seek HIM and know that you will find HIM.  I pray today that you know you are never alone in the wilderness.  I pray today that you be alert of the enemy who is out to destroy you.  I pray today that you will resist the lies of temptation.

Blessings,
Heather