I don’t like temptation. The author of the book, “The Prayer of Boas” had a really good comment regarding temptation. He said that as much as he can help it, he stays away from temptation. He doesn’t let himself be led into situations where there is temptation. I like his thinking.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Matthew 7:21-23
And before him (The Son of Man, Jesus) shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25:32-34;41
I’ve (Mark) lived long enough to observe the lives of those (I could tell you story after story) who think they beat the system, that they can live in the world, or dabble with the world and not have it harm them. And, I’ve seen the end result. It’s never good. Never.
But now I (The Apostle Paul) am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. (Why not hang out with such people? Well, the Bible tells us that we should not even associate with such people because their lifestyle may influence us to the point that we compromise and become trapped by the devil ourselves.)
1 Corinthians 5:11
I’ve (Mark) lived a worldly life and I’ve lived close to Jesus. My wife’s father was an alcoholic. For a few years, I played the drums in rock and roll bands. We even played at the Hollywood Teenage Fair.
I worked for a construction-related company in the San Diego area in the early 70s. After we finished for the day, we’d head over to our favorite bar. We’d order beer by the pitcher – We each had our own pitcher. I thought I was pretty cool back in those days. Boy, was I wrong.
I was never really happy living like the world. In fact, living like the world really took a toll on me. I was so deceived. You see, I let the devil get a foothold in my life back then and it led to more deception and misery. I was held up at gun point, totaled a car we were test driving, and had lots of other trouble while living apart from Jesus. I’m so grateful and glad that Jesus arranged the circumstances of my prodigal son-type life to bring me back to Him. The world has nothing to offer us, people. Nothing. And I pray it will become more and more obvious to us as the “end times” progress, as God separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32-34).
Famous Evangelist: He was asked, “Do you believe once saved always saved?” He answered, “No, because it gives to much provision for the flesh.” Next, he was asked, “What do you think about drinking.” He answered, “I don’t think about it at all.” At another time, he said, “People are always trying to get me to accept the world. I began drinking at the age of six. I used to drink a whole fifth of whiskey in the morning, and more at night…Every day. I was really good at sinning. Why do we (“Christians”) want to be like the world? Why do we search the scriptures for verses that allow us to live like the world? Regarding drinking – I don’t look for verses in the Bible to appease my flesh. I look for verses in the Bible to crucify my flesh. What do you guys want to do? What’s next? Women? For some crazy reason, the church is looking for things to do that the world does. Everyone’s trying to figure out what to do next that the world does. What else do you want to do that the world does? How many of these lines are we going to cross over? Why do we take the flesh side of the scriptures? Why don’t we take the crucifixcion side?”
knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
Romans 6:6
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
Ephesians 4:22
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Colossians 3:5
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:31b-32
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Romans 13:14
God bless,
Mark