Stop The Deception-Part 3 Our Daily Bread

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17 (NKJV)

We are looking at a devotional series titled, "Stop The Deception," which is based on James 1:22-24 where we are exhorted to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. In Part 2 of this devotional, we looked at the promises of God for both, those who choose to hear the Word and apply it, and for those who choose to not apply it.  We also looked at The Apostle Paul's writing in Romans 7, where he illustrates his own personal battle between his flesh and his spirit.  We ended Part 2 with a pivotal question, which was,

Q:    So how can we know we will be able to win this fight between the Spirit and the flesh?

The answer is by believing the promises given to us within the Bible, and applying God's teachings to our life.  The first things we need to know is we will never be tempted beyond what we can handle.  In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we are told, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

This should give us a great confidence, knowing God is only allowing us to be tempted in the capacity we can handle and is best for the strengthening of our faith.  This is a critical juncture though, because we must first remember to keep this truth in proper perspective with other Scriptural truths.  What I mean is this.  We can't do anything without God.  So, even though we won't be tempted beyond what we are able, we must always seek God's help, wisdom, protection and provision throughout every temptation.  Let's look at the two following Scriptures, which give us our proof text for this truth.  

 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

These two Scriptures complement each other and they provide the perfect balance for our confidence as well as our approach to taking on the temptation to act independently of God by doing things our way based off of our feelings.  Jesus tells us in John 15, "Without Me you can do nothing," and we are told in Philippians 4, we "can do all things through Christ."

Q:    Armed with these Biblical truths what do we do next?
A:    Walk in the victory of God's truth, which means we should,

• Receive God's Word as His will
• Believe the promises contained within God's Word
• Trust in God's Word
• Be fully confident in our abilities to obey His Word with His empowerment

So we can take comfort knowing we, as Christians, have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us helping us to fight our flesh and its desires to do things independently of God and His Word.  But we cannot stop here - we must hate sin enough to cause us to vomit out any activity, possession, or habit we are putting ahead of our relationship and love for God.  Here me in this - we are all going to fail in the flesh from time to time - that is all there is to it.  But we must purpose in our heart to keep our eyes on Christ - the author and finisher of our faith (See Eph 2:8-9; Phil 1:6).  In addition to keeping our eyes on Him, 

• It is our responsibility to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18) - Daily!  This empowers us to be victorious.
• It is our responsibility to be in the Word (Matt. 4:4; 2Tim 3:16-17) - Daily!  This renews our mind.
• It is our responsibility to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ - casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the Knowledge of God - anything against His Word (2Cor. 10:5) - Continuously!

Hey Christian, let me ask you something

Q:    What is the purpose in your heart?  
Q:    Do you desire the things of God?  
Q:    Have you been given God's "New nature" in your spirit?  
Q:    Are you bummed after you fall into sin?
Q:    Is there a conviction when you are thinking or doing something that is not God's Will?

If the answer is yes, then you know that the Holy Spirit is residing in you.  Now it is your responsibility to walk in the truth, and to do what is right - to think about the big picture - about those who are being hurt, and about whom you are serving when you willingly sin.

STUDY QUESTION: According to the Scriptures contained within this devotional, what can we learn about our ability to obey God's Word, as well as the result of our obeying?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you willing to abide in Jesus as the branch does within the vine?

APPLICATION: Seek God in everything, and continuously.  Keep reading His Word, and asking Him to show you how to live.