Tempting Thoughts

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And whn sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
James 1:14-15 NLT

Do you know that I've never been tempted to rob a bank? Nope, that was never a temptation to me. But there are certain things that are a temptation to me, like seeing a piece of new mountain bike equipment in a magazine that just gets me! It is dangerous for me to read one of my mountain bike mags or go to a bike shop and see a new bike or see a new piece of technology, because when I do, that is about all I can think about. And...if I think about it enough, I am looking it up on the internet...AND if I look at it enough on the internet, I will think about how I can buy it...AND once I saw how to buy it, ie credit card, then I am either on my way to the bike shop to buy it or I am buying it on the internet. That's how temptation works. First it comes as a thought, then that thought turns into ideas and eventually actions. God does not tempt us, but there are certain things in each of us that can be tempted which we know are not good for us. When we notice we are having a tempting thought (and it comes on us subtly at times), we need to grab a hold of that thought as quick as we can and counter it with what God has promised. For example, I see new bike, but I don't have the money for, nor do I need a new bike (forgive me my fellow bikers), the minute the thought of "Kent, you need that bike" I need to counter that thought either verbally or in my head (usually verbally for me), "God supplies all my needs, and if I need that bike, He will provide the way to get it, end of story." I may have to say that several times...in fact many times. You may say "well I sound silly for saying it many times," well that tempting thought sure doesn't stop at the first thought, it jumps on you over and over, so you have to counter it over and over.

Take Away: don't let tempting thoughts run wild, counter them with Gods word and keep at it.