Open Heavens Daily 30th August [Sunday] 2020 – Handling Temptations

 

Open Heavens Daily Devotional

Handling Temptations – Open  Heavens Daily 30th August [Sunday] 2020 By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Memorise: ” Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)

Today’s Bible Verses: James 1:12-15 (NIV)

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

OPEN HEAVENS FOR TODAY 30TH AUGUST 2020 – HANDLING TEMPTATIONS

In Yoruba land where I am from, there is a saying that goes thus: “That which you would not eat, you should not sniff.” The way to resist temptations is to run from anything that appears to negate the commandments of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 puts it thus:

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

If only David had taken his eyes off Bathsheba, he would not have fallen into the sin of adultery and subsequently murder. If only Judas Iscariot had handed over the treasury of Jesus ministry to someone else or at least found someone to be accountable to, he would probably have been amongst the Apostles until he died.

Temptation is not a sin; it is merely the arousal to sin. To resist the temptation is to resist the arousal. When the devil wants to conquer a person, he simply puts things in place that will arouse the fellow to sin, and so the Bible says in James 1:14:

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

One of my sons once told me that he was always excited to resume work on Monday mornings because he would see his secretary again. He had started lusting after her. My advice to him was that he should sack her.

The godly counsel to escape sexual sins is to flee! (1 Corinthians 6:18). You dont resist temptation by hanging around it or letting it hang around you; you escape by running (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Joseph did not wait to explain to Mrs. Potiphar why he could not sleep with her; he ran (). Waiting to explain can be dangerous; run and explain later. Nothing is more important than your ticket to Heaven. Jesus Christ said if your hand would lead you to sin, cut it off (Mark 9:43).

If you have to resign from that job to ensure that you dont sin and miss Heaven, resign. If you have to move out of your neighbourhood, do so. If you have to unfriend someone, unfriend the fellow. Whatever it is that you have to do, just flee any appearance of evil.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL ACTION POINT: Don’t sit around and wait for temptation to destroy you. Flee!

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 16-17

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL HYMN: Have you been to Jesus

1. Have you been to Jesus for the
cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

chorus.
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless?
Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

2. Are you walking daily by the Saviour’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your
robes be white!
Pure and white in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for His mansions
bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with
sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeem Christian Church God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. Open heavens devotionals also comprises of Open Heavens Teen, RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual, RCCG Sunday School TEACHERS Manual and RCCG House Fellowship LEADERS