Daily Devotional
Tempted? There’s a way out.
March 13, 2019
BIBLE MEDITATION:
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John 5:18
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know why the devil couldn’t get to Jesus in the midst of a 40-day fast when He was starving? He was already satisfied. You see, Jesus didn’t have an itch that the devil could scratch.
Temptation really comes down to this: Satan lures you to take a legitimate, God-given desire and satisfy it in an illegitimate, God-forbidden way. Satan says, “Hey, you’ve got a need, and I can satisfy it.”
Desires like food, security, love—they’re legitimate. The sex drive is a God-given desire. Satan wants to take that and twist it. You’re not sinful because you feel sexual urges. How do you handle it? Satisfy it the right way; then you won't need the wrong way.
Have you ever tried to take a bone from a dog? Here’s how: throw a steak on the ground. He'll drop that bone. Isn't that right? You see, when you satisfy a desire the right way, when you choose what God has for you, then the ol' dog doesn't need that bone. A preacher friend of mine says, "If you're eating steak at home, you won't need bologna at the office."
When tempted, you have a choice: get that need satisfied by the devil or by the Lord. The devil is a pervert. He has no original materials. All he can do is take what God created first, then pervert it.
ACTION POINT:
A husband and wife should live together as sexual partners, happy in the Lord Jesus. Do you want to overcome temptation? Satisfy your desires the legitimate way, and you won’t need the illegitimate.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
