Sneaky Temptations

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Were you afraid to click onto this post? Did you dare to venture to see what I was going to be talking about in this week’s post as it relates to temptations? Well, I am not going to harp on food addictions in this blog. So you don’t have to be scared. Rather, I am going to write about the everyday temptations that we encounter without even realizing that it’s a temptation.

The devil is very cunning, especially in these last days. And we have to be on guard to protect our minds, hearts, and loyalty to God. No doubt, the enemy is trying to pull out everything he has to try to get us distracted, unfocused, or to lose sight of what’s really important in our lives and to the Lord. Actually, the enemy can be downright sneaky with his temptations!

Personally, I have been tempted to do things or say things that I should not do and say in my lifetime. Have you? Sometimes it’s tough. But the enemy loves to get us to sin against God with our mouths and actions, right? He knows how to draw us in to do something that we might later regret. That’s why it’s so important to watch his sneaky schemes.

The term itself actually means, a secret or devious plan, a plot. An orderly plan or arrangement. So you see, Satan is scheming. And he is really slick. Think about it for a moment. It may start out with him planting a negative thought in your mind or he may lead someone to you to feed you foolishness. Or he could make you rehash an incident over and over again in your mind to become bitter, resentful, and unloving. And then, if not careful, he’s got you hooked! His scheme worked! And then he’s sitting back eating popcorn as he watches his plan all unfold, while you’re feeling defeated, depleted, and maybe even, discouraged.  

Well, I’m here to tell you…don’t give him the satisfaction! Don’t get hooked! Instead, put on the full armor of God like Ephesians 6:10-17 says and fight with love, the right thoughts, words, and actions. And don’t forget to stay sober and alert, as you recognize who the real enemy is. So instead of giving into the temptation to do wrong, fight to do right.

Meaning, whatever it is you’re up against, try to do the right thing. Move on to do something else. Think about something else. Renew your mind. Shift. I’m helping you either now or ahead of time…because the enemy’s sneak attack will come.

Ponder these questions. Have you ever been caught up by a sneaky temptation? In other words, has Satan ever tried to lure you into doing something that you felt or knew in your spirit or conscious was not right? Yet, you got sucked into it anyway? It could’ve been something you said, watched, listened to, or indulged in that you knew the Holy Spirit was leading you not to do or say. If you’ve been there, how did it make you feel afterwards or even during the act? Did you repent of it and ask the Lord to forgive you, yet? This is vital.  

Like I said in the beginning. The devil is very cunning. That’s why we have to watch fatigue, an idle mind, and when we’re emotional. We have to stay sober and alert. We have to stop ourselves before we make decisions that could potentially harm us or others around us. We cannot be caught unaware or asleep spiritually, right now. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”  

He wants to destroy us in every way, sis. Especially if you or I are going to do anything amazing for the Lord. Simply stated, Satan is not our friend. That’s why we are going to have to fight harder to resist him and his schemes in these last days.

With that being said, we are going to have to stand strong in our faith against him and submit to God, so he can go! James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Yes! Submission and resisting him are the keys to his departure and our freedom.

So let’s be self-controlled, on guard, and submissive to God, while watching out for those sneaky temptations. I believe that when we do these things, we will have more victory over our own enticements, as well as our great enemy’s schemes. Let’s WIN in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!

~Courtnaye 

*ALSO TELL OTHER WOMEN about Inside Out with Courtnaye. Invite your friends and family by sharing, tweeting, and hitting the “LIKE” button on my Facebook page! If you have any questions or need advice about something, feel free to email me directly @ insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com or leave a comment to let me know how this post has helped you in some way. Thanks in advance and just know that Inside Out with Courtnaye is all about helping women grow stronger in their walk with Christ from the inside out (from the heart). Jesus is coming soon! Love you, sis!