GOD’S WORD FOR NOVEMBER 1

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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TEMPTATION WILL COME

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:31–32

D.L. MOODY

There is no one beyond the reach of the tempter. Keep that in mind. Life may run smoothly for a while, but the testing time is coming.

ERWIN LUTZER

Yes, testing is coming.

Even Christ was tempted of the devil. In fact, we read that Jesus was “led up by the Spirit” into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1). You might say, “Well, God doesn’t tempt anybody.” That is true. He does not solicit anyone to do evil, but God does test us (Deuteronomy 13:3–4; James 1:13). Furthermore, it wasn’t God soliciting Jesus to evil—it was Satan. But it was God who brought Jesus to the place of temptation, the place of testing. Satan’s agenda is to tempt us to do evil; God’s intention is to test us to prove our character and commitment to Him.

How do we overcome the devil when temptations come our way? Through the Word of God! When we are under the authority of the Word,(when we believe Jesus died for us individually and was raised from the dead, and we are submitted to Him and His Word, the Bible),  we can exercise the power of the Word. Then we can say, “Be gone, Satan” (Matthew 4:10) and quote a relevant verse of Scripture. Temptation is resistible. But let’s not think we can face the tempter with will power; we need the intervention of God’s Spirit through the Word.

Through our tough obedience, character is built, God is glorified, Jesus receives honor, and the cause of Christ is advanced (see Romans 5:3–4; James 1:3–4). That’s God’s intention. God’s purpose in testing is to bring out the best in us and to give us an opportunity to love God more than our passions.

PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to resist temptation through the power of your Word.

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James 4:7

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

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1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”

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Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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Galatians 5:16

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

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Romans 12:21

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

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Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Mark 14:38

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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