One Basis for Temptation

[Cynay]

ONE BASIS FOR TEMPTATION

Titus 3:14
Let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful

We all have basic human needs to feel loved, accepted and worthwhile. When these needs go unmet, it's very important that we express them to our family members and fellow Christians in a positive way and allow others to minister to those needs. I believe that one basis for temptation is unmet legitimate needs. When you are too proud to say, "I don't feel loved." or when you push others away by saying, "You don't love me anymore," your need for love goes unmet. So Satan comes along with a tempting alternative: "Your wife doesn't love you like you deserve. But have you noticed the affectionate gleam in your secretary's eye?"

Other than Himself, God's primary resource for meeting your needs and keeping you pure is other believers. The problem is that many go to Sunday school, church and Bible study wearing a sanctimonious mask. Wanting to appear strong and together, they rob themselves of the opportunity of having their needs met in the warmth and safety of the Christian community. In the process, they rob the community of the opportunity to minister to their needs. By denying the fellowship of believers the privilege of meeting your legitimate needs, you are acting independently of God. You are vulnerable to the temptation of thinking that you can have your needs met in the world, the flesh and the devil.

Instead, follow the guidance of Hebrews 10:24, 25: "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near."

Prayer:

Lord, grant me the humility to confess my needs and hurts to my Christian family in order to allow You to meet my needs in Your way.

[Melanchonika]

that is awesome. i agree wholeheartedly that many spiritual gifts are being misused today. so many programs and bible studies; so little real intimacy. i find it a challenge to find authenticity like this.

people miss the point sometimes what Jesus meant: "freely i give to you, freely receive". its equally about receiving, not just giving.....giving too much makes things lopsided, and also creates a dependency for the ones willing to recive to over-receive. bad recipe for the mix.

i currently dont attend church becasue this aspect spoken about in this article really bothers me. it all seems so fake, and dishonest. though, i do realize and validate that not all people are 'aware' they are doing this, but i think the fact that it has the power to poison others in a church body, is very underestimated. jesus says we are to live in the TRUTH, and that he IS the TRUTH. for me, that idea has been radically changed, and i had to exit church in order to grasp that principle (ive also dealt with some spiritual abuse in the past, and had to heal from that, fro a time).....so, the dilemma too can be that if one isnt even in church, how can they effectively reach people with their gifts? i will say that it is not impossible, i am in touch with christian people everyday, especially in recovery circles. i wish i could be back in church but the toxicness i find there sometimes is enough to discourage me instead of encourage. does that make any sense?

[best]

I just came home from a wonderful weekend. We laughed, we cried, we shared from our heart and we sat around or rode our bikes just for the enjoyment of it.
What I learned among the sharing of love and friendship of this past weekend, I hope to carry "into" the church. We can stay out of churches because we fel they don't do it right or we can go into the churches and show them how to do it right.
Jesus said... Go into "all" the world.
Some in the churches may say that means go into the bars or the streets. I see that when those of us that have been in the bars or on the street go into the churches that churches start to come alive. As the Lord guides me, I hope I may guide others (even those in the church) You need give it away to keep it.

[mike_mass]

Great post. I have to be reminded of how I use my pride as a defense against being rejected. This is all about becoming trusting and vulnerable for me.

[best]

Originally Posted by mike_mass

This is all about becoming trusting and vulnerable for me.

Psalm 118:8
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.

Enough people have burnt me over time that it took time for me to even find a trust in God. What I have found is God is the only one I can fully trust. He earned my trust by constantly showing me time and again that He can be trusted. I took that first step on faith that had me say....Ok I will try it Your way Lord and every step from that point on has been a step placed in an area that God has shown me He can be trusted.
Psalm 119 is filled with much wisdom.

119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.