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DRAGGED AWAY

but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. James 1:14

Who’d have believed it? Chief executives being led off in handcuffs; spiritual shepherds molesting their sheep; politicians in the pockets of special interests. How could it happen? In every case, it happened because: (1) they lost their moral compass (2) at some point they vacillated, saying ‘Everybody else does it, why not me?’ (3) as their appetites increased, their conscience eroded (4) they surrounded themselves with others who shared the same values, or were willing to look the other way. ‘But I’d never do those things’, you say. Maybe, but then what things would you do? Have you reached your hour of testing yet? Listen: ‘Each one [no exceptions] is tempted when he is drawn away by his own [particular] desires and enticed.’ Get real! We’re all susceptible to thoughts and impulses, which if not disciplined by strong character, have the potential to destroy us! ‘What can I do?’ you ask. When Jehoshaphat came up against an enemy too big to handle alone, he prayed, ‘‘We have no might against this great company, neither know we what to do, our eyes are upon Thee” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Jehoshaphat understood that: (a) in our own strength we’re no match for the enemy (b) we may be brighter than the average bulb, but we still don’t have the right answers (c) some things are just a job for God! There’s a clear lesson here for us. Only when we turn to God in our weakness, is His power released to work in us and through us!

Prayer
Help me heavenly Father to not be tempted away from what is right by YOUR standards. Keep me focused on you and your Word. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen