What is one nuance of temptation?

First, we know that temptation is from the devil. God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone (James 1:13).

The devil tempts people using three things: (1) the lust of the flesh, (2) the lust of the eyes, and (3) the pride of life (Matthew 4:1-11). No matter who or what he uses or how he dresses it up, the temptation will fall into these three categories.

However, a nuance of temptation is that temptation doesn’t always have to be the devil tempting you to commit blatant sins against God (i.e. fornication, homosexuality, idolatry etc).

The devil is cunning, and his devices, schemes, and tactics can be more subtle and insidious.

For example, God told you to write a book, but you don’t because the devil tempts you with fear and discouragement: “No one is going to buy your book. No one wants to listen to what you have to say. You don’t even write good enough.”

OR

God told you to read His Word. You make a plan to read every evening after work. Unfortunately, when you sit down to read, you get a desire to binge watch (insert favorite show here).

“I’ll do it tomorrow,” you tell yourself. But tomorrow there is another temptation and you give into it. And the next day there is another and so on and so forth. One day you look up and realize that months and sometimes years have passed and you still haven’t done what God told you to do.

Pay attention to that! It could be the subtle and insidious temptation of the devil trying to prevent you from doing what God wants you to do.

Remember, the goal of every temptation is to prevent you from doing God’s will.

So, what is it for you? What has God called you to do that you haven’t done? What temptation(s) has the devil used to keep you from doing God’s will?

If you’ve been tempted to go after your own way or the devil’s way, you can change that today.

Confess, repent, and ask God to forgive you. Ask Him to help you boldly, vigilantly, and faithfully fulfill His will for your life, and He will.

You can do this! We can do this! We have the one, true living God on our side!

Be encouraged! You are loved! ❤