Closer you get to God - Tempted more?

[ZiSunka]

I've had that dream, too.

I found the way to make it stop really IS to call out to God.

It's amazing how fast the dream evaporates after you do that.

 

[LouisBooth]

The problem comes when you don't admit its not always satan that does the tempting. Most of the time its your own selfish desires that cause you to be tempted. They are "left-overs" from your former life. Like when you get out of prison you still feel the need to ask someone to go to the bathroom because you had to do it when you where in prison.

 

[rkbo]

Lots of good stuff in this post, I think. Louis you have hit on what I think about this issue. Follow me on this for a minute. Jesus taught us to give and be givers. Serve others and be a servant. To unto other what you would want them to do to you. Get the picture. If we are thinking of others we are not seeking our own lusts and desires. Not that desires are bad but think of this for a sec. "The love of money is the root of all evil" As one comedian said "It's not the money......but what the money can buy us." This all boils down to one word "selfishness" if we are selfless, how can satan tempt us. Jesus shows us the biggest act of selflessnes.Look at this verse and see if I'm right.
Phil 2:4-11
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
(KJV)

Also know this
James 1:14-15
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(KJV)

We have to learn the lessons Jesus was teaching us. I know I have just begun to learn this and the temptations have dropped drasticaly.

 

[soulsisterclaire]

I know that I am to blame for my sins, I chose to sin. But I am not really talking about that kind of temptation here. I do believe that all sin is evil and the author of evil is Satan. So it would make sense that he is one of my tempters.

The kind of temptations I am talking about are unusual in nature. Coincidences if you may. There were times when a person was put in my path(I believe by Satan)to try to get me to fall. Sometimes this worked. Simply because I didn't suspect them. A wolf in sheeps clothing so-to-speak.

It often reminds me of the Book of Job. How Satan was allowed to attack Job and try to make him curse God. Or how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert.

Praise God I am saved!

 

[Christi]

Hi Claire!!!!

You brought up Job. I LOVE how God says "Have you considered my servant, Job" to Satan. He's BRAGGING on him!!! I would love to be so useful to God that he could tell Satan, "Consider my servant, Christi". Sigh, I have such a long way to go.....but that is my goal! To be blameless and upright, fear God and shun evil. I guess we can only "press on toward the goal", but maybe God has been bragging on you?

 

[soulsisterclaire]

Originally posted by Christi
Hi Claire!!!!

You brought up Job. I LOVE how God says "Have you considered my servant, Job" to Satan. He's BRAGGING on him!!! I would love to be so useful to God that he could tell Satan, "Consider my servant, Christi". Sigh, I have such a long way to go.....but that is my goal! To be blameless and upright, fear God and shun evil. I guess we can only "press on toward the goal", but maybe God has been bragging on you?

No, Christi, I doubt that God has been bragging on me...I am very far away from that point of righteouness...I hope people didn't think that is what I meant in my post...I just know that everytime I make headway in my relationship with God, trouble seems to come my way!

Now, you(Christi)on the other hand, are worthy of God bragging on you!

Praise the Lord!

 

[Christi]

Whatever!!!!! You obviously don't know me VERY well! lol! (At least we are humble, right?)

 

[soulsisterclaire]

Originally posted by Christi
Whatever!!!!! You obviously don't know me VERY well! lol! (At least we are humble, right?)

Yes, God has a way of humbling us doesn't He?