Sunday Devo -February 5, 2023

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
When we give in to things God’s commanded us to stay away from, they can bring us some relief and joy-but it’s not lasting. Giving in to anger and losing your temper might bring some relief, but it’s only temporary. After you’ve blown your stack you’ve grieved the Holy Spirit within and damaged the relationship of the person you’ve yelled at. Giving in to sexual promiscuity can bring pleasure for a time. But it carries with it the price of lost trust, broken hearts, and a loss of respect.
There are some things in our life that we need to quit playing around with and RUN AWAY from. You struggle with drinking? Then stay away from it. Don’t go out to parties where the drinks are freely flowing. You struggle with lust (if you say no, you’re lying)? Make sure you don’t put yourself in situations where you’re going to be tempted. Have some friends hold you accountable to what you’re watching.
One step at a time we can go deeper into compromises, and we can jeopardize our relationship with the Lord and also ruin whatever good we have done in the past. It takes years to build a good name; but one indiscretion, one bad step to ruin it all.

Sin notoriously does 3 things to us: (1) It will take you further than you want to go. (2) It will keep you there longer than you want to stay. (3) It will cost you more than you want to pay.

A crown awaits those who turn away, for those who endure!      -Pastor Mike