MONDAY 19TH MARCH, 2018 MORNING PRAYER DEVOTION
SCRIPTURE READING:– GENESIS 22: 1-18
TOPIC:– NEVER SAY YES TO TEMPTATION
TEXT:- 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13
The Hebrew noun massâ, ordinarily translated as temptation, is derived from the verb nāsâ, meaning to try, prove, put to the test. The Hebrew verb bāḥan, originally meaning to assay (metals), is also used figuratively of God testing men.
In classical Greek the verb πειράζω is used, first in the sense of “to attempt,” and then in the meaning of “to try, to test,” but not in the meaning of “to tempt” to evil.
Temptation in the Biblical sense is a situation in which one experiences a challenge to choose between fidelity and infidelity to one’s obligations toward God. Temptation presumes that God’s word has been given and connotes the covenant relationship. God is never unfaithful to His own word. Man, however, by being seduced or deceived, trusts creatures, thereby testing God’s patience. The evils that befall God’s people appear as manifestations of His anger merited by infidelity. Temptation is Trial or being put to the test or did prove, Genesis 22:1. Afflictions are said to tempt, to try men, James 1:2,12 i.e. putting their faith and patience to the test.
The account of the fall of man in Genesis 2:4–3:24 describes the relationship of God and men as a mutual temptation or testing: God tests Adam and Eve’s fidelity. Eve is deceived thereby testing God’s fidelity to His own threat, which He carries out.
Therefore God’s promise of future posterity tested Abraham’s faith. Abraham’s belief, in return, obliged God to fulfill His promise, which He did. Abraham undergoes another temptation in being directed to sacrifice Isaac. His obedience merits a further promise, Genesis 22:2,15–18.
Our Lord was in this way tempted in the wilderness. That temptation was not internal, but by a real, active, subtle being. It was not self-sought. It was submitted to as an act of obedience on his part. “Christ was led, driven. An unseen personal force bore Him a certain violence is implied in the words”, Matthew 4:1-11.
Temptation is common to all, Daniel 12:10 ; James 1:12. So long as we are in this world we are exposed to temptations, and need ever to be on our watch against them. In the Bible the word temptation primarily denotes a trial in which man has a free choice of being faithful or unfaithful to God Only secondarily does it signify allurement or seduction to sin. Temptation in itself is not a sin, it becomes a sin when you yield to its demands.
Prayer Points:-
1. O Lord God, deliver me from all temptations in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. O Lord God, give me grace and wisdom to be sensitive to all temptation of devil, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. O Lord God, bring me out of pit which yielding to temptation has put me in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Glorious Monday!
