Bill battled drug and alcohol addiction for years before gaining victory. From his experience, he’s identified four warning signs of impending relapse: isolation, internal feelings of discontent, frustration and anger, and delusional thinking.
Not all of us are recovering addicts, but we all face temptation in life. Thankfully, “when you are tempted, [God] will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13). There are times, however, when we don’t take His wise path.
Cain battled the temptation to sin. One of Adam and Eve’s sons, he grew to be a farmer while his brother Abel was a shepherd (Genesis 4:1-2). At harvest time, both brothers gave a sacrifice to the Lord, Cain from the crops he grew and Abel from the flock he tended. But something about Cain’s sacrifice offended God; perhaps he gave grudgingly or less than he could have. God accepted Abel and his sacrifice, but rejected Cain and his offering. This filled him with rage and despair (Genesis 4:3-5).
God told Cain that he and his sacrifice would have been accepted if he had been obedient. The Lord cautioned: “If you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master” (Genesis 4:7). This was God’s “way out” for Cain, but he refused to take it, gave in to temptation, and killed his brother (Genesis 4:8).
When we humble ourselves before God, we become aware of the sin that can trip us up (Hebrews 12:1). We can’t master sinful desires in our own strength—only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we can resist them (Romans 8:5). May we pray and ask for the Spirit to give us what we need to resist temptation today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 6:1–7:10
More:
Read Romans 13:14 to see how to turn from temptation and evil desires.
Next:
Is sin crouching at the door of your heart? Why is it vital for you to seek the power of the Holy Spirit in resisting its temptations?
darylcrisp on May 7, 2017 at 12:23 am
I love the Daily Journey, its always what I need to read or contemplate
Your will above all else, thank you our Father
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on May 7, 2017 at 5:27 am
Amen Daryl. May we humbly surrender to the will of our Heavenly Father. The moment we think we are strong enough to stand in our own strength, we fall. Only by the grace of God are we able to flee temptation and resist evil. God bless you Daryl – thanks for your encouragement.
Gary Shultz on May 7, 2017 at 6:10 am
Hi Ruth: Addictions are nasty business. We talk about miracles, God’s grace and pursuit with a child fallen to an addiction is to me a miracle. But what joy and victory to walk away from it with God’s peace and knowing His love. Thanks Ruth
don777 on May 7, 2017 at 9:16 am
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NLT) 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
Matthew 5:3 (NLT) 3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
When we finally come to the end of our self. I can’t do it anymore I need a Savor. The only Savor there is, is Jesus. Then He says it’s about time come to me.
John 3:30 (NKJV) He must increase, but I must decrease.
It takes God. +>i
sandy229 on May 7, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Thank you Ruth for today’s devotion. Paul emphasized a high standard of moral conduct, particularly in view of the nearness of the Lord’s return, when our salvation will be consummated (Romans 13:11,12). The way to moral excellence is twofold (Romans 13:14). Positively, we must clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to His lordship, accepting His moral standards, living in constant fellowship with Him, and depending upon His strength. Negatively, we are to not think about ways to indulge our evil desires, doing nothing to foster our sensual desires and appetites Galatians 5:16-25).