Temptation and Judgment Newsletter 304 Feb 2004 God's elect are and will continue to be tempted, until

Christ returns. Satan is responsible for many of the opportunities for us to be tempted. Many believe temptation equates to persecution or judgment. When you are persecuted for God's sake, count it as joy. When you are tried, be sure you come through for our Father. There are no giants in this world. If we claim the promises of God's Word, we have the victory. Temptation is not judgment. Don't allow yourself to become upset by a little temptation. Let's begin our study in the Book of James. James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. Rightly divide the Word. This is written to the twelve tribes which are scattered. That is many of you. James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations: 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Temptations and trials cause us to mature. Patience allows us to realize things happen according to God's plan and schedule, not our own. James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing, 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, That giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him. The word "perfect" in verse four would be better translated "mature, or complete". God is very generous in giving wisdom to His children that love and serve Him. Have you asked God for wisdom? James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. God knows your heart and mind. If you have doubt, don't waste your time asking. God can't use you. James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord, 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. A double minded person is someone who wants to walk in the ways of the world and God's way. You can't do both. God can't count on someone like this, especially when a little temptation comes along. James 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. The brother of low degree is exalted, when he asks for and receives wisdom from God. The rich in ill-gotten gains of the world will be low, when they realize their ill-gotten gains have cost them their eternal life. James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man

fade away in his ways. There is nothing wrong with being rich as a result of hard work and God's blessings. True wealth is being able to count on God, and God knowing He can count on you. James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. This carries all the way through to when God's elect are delivered up before antichrist. The crown of eternal life is the reward promised to those who overcome. James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man; Rejoice when you are tempted for God's sake; however, don't ever blame God for sending evil your way to tempt you. He doesn't tempt His children with evil. Satan does. James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed, 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Our flesh bodies are often easily tempted. Be thankful God has chosen you, and repent as often as needed. Put your spiritual body in charge over your flesh body. James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. God loves all of His children. He knows what each of them is able to handle, and Father gives gifts accordingly. Don't allow your flesh to claim credit. Gifts are from God. Don't forget to thank Him for the gifts He has given you. James 1:18 Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: He begat all of us of His will. The elect can afford to have compassion towards their lost brothers and sisters. They know all gifts and wisdom come from our Father. James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. The Word of God changes lives. The Word of God saves souls. James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Be hearers and doers of the Word. Those that hear but don't do the Word are of no service to our Father. In review, don't blame God, when you are tempted. Count it as joy, when you are persecuted for

His sake. There is a time in the near future when God's children will be very tempted. Many will be deceived. Turn with me to Mark. Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. Antichrist and his angels will appear on earth as supernatural beings. The sad news is that most will believe it is the true Messiah. God has chosen some to make a stand. They were chosen because God knows He can count on them. Don't let Father down. Mark 13:20 And except that the LORD had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom He hath chosen, He hath shortened the days. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, 'Lo, here is Christ:' or, 'lo. He is there:' believe him not: If you are still in a flesh body, the true Christ has not returned. When He does return at the seventh trump, all will be changed into spiritual bodies (I Cor. 15:52). Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. I don't believe one of God's elect will be seduced. They know who antichrist is, and they find him to be an abomination. That isn't to say antichrist won't try. Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. Jesus is the Living Word. He has told us everything that we need to know in the Word so we won't be seduced by Satan. You will be tempted. Be sure you don't blame God for the evil temptation. Utilize your knowledge of the Word and the gifts He has given you to recognize the events that lead up to the hour of temptation so you won't be deceived. Be watchmen. Skip with me to Mark 14:37. There were some disciples who were supposed to be on watch while Jesus prayed at Gethsemane. Mark 14:37 And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, "Simon, sleepest thou? Couldest not thou watch one hour? The hour of temptation is coming soon. The warning is for us today. The flesh is weak and becomes tired. We must spiritually stay awake and be sharp. Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." The flesh has many needs, and it is easily tempted by the ways of the world. Don't allow your spiritual body to fall asleep on watch because of the temptations of the flesh. Stay focused. God is depending on you. Mark 14:39 And again He went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer Him. These disciples loved Jesus very much, and they would have done

anything for Him. Again, I believe this event happened as a lesson to the elect of today. Mark 14:41 And He cometh the third time, and saith unto them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth Me is at hand." You aren't going to fall asleep on your watch. You aren't going to allow Jesus to be betrayed again. You will stand up and make a difference with the Holy Spirit speaking through you. No temptation will prevent you from standing up for Christ. Let's turn to the Book of Revelation to learn more about your trial. Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich), and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. These are the words of Jesus Christ to the church of Smyrna, one of only two churches He found no fault. Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Death is Satan. Remain faithful to Jesus, until He returns and the crown of eternal life is your reward. This trial is for the sake of Jesus. Count the trial as joy, not suffering. You can cut it! Skip to Revelation 3:10. Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Here is a promise you need to remember. Jesus is promising that He will give us courage. We won't be tempted by antichrist, because we know who he is. What an opportunity to witness for Christ! In closing, turn with me to the Book of II Peter. God will never leave you, and He will never forsake you. 11 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: You stand up for Christ with courage, and God will deliver you out of temptation. That is a promise. Count the tempation you will endure as joy, knowing that God will deliver you. Don't look upon the temptation as punishment or judgment. Judgment in a negative sense and punishment belong to the unjust and ungodly. Your reward is the crown of eternal life. In His Service, Arnold Murray