Hebrews 3:13 - Were All Vulnerable.
Hebrews 3:13 (NLT) You must warn each other
every day, while it is still today, so that
none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened
against God.
COMMENTARY PEARL
In chapter 6 of Matthews Gospel, we
find what we often call the Lords Prayer. We
can use it as a basis to explore the principles
of prayer that God has given us in the pages of
Scripture.
Here Jesus taught us to pray, And
dont let us yield to temptation, but rescue us
from the evil one (verse 13 NLT).
Now, does this imply that God could lead
us onto a path where we could face temptation?
Or, worse yet, does it mean that God could tempt
us?
Certainly not. James 1:13 warns, Do
not say, God is tempting me. God is never
tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone
else (NLT).
James continues, Temptation comes from
our own desires, which entice us and drag us
away (verse 14 NLT).
Thus, Jesus taught us to ask God to guide
us so that we wont depart from His will and
place ourselves in the way of temptation. We
essentially pray, Lord, dont let me be tempted
above my capacity to resist. Give me common sense.
Help me see the traps and the areas in which I
can be vulnerable. Then help me to avoid
them.
The problem with temptation is that we
often rationalize it. Maybe youve seen the
bumper sticker that says, Lead me not into
temptation. I can find it myself. The Bible warns us
about the illusive glamour and trickery of sin.
None of us are above temptations pull.
We might think that after we study the Bible
for a specific amount of time or walk with God
for a certain number of years, we will always be
able to identify temptation. But that isnt
true.
The enemy is cunning (see Genesis 3:1).
We must be careful not to underestimate the
pull of temptation in our lives. [Greg Laurie
from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Our hearts turn away from the living God
when we stubbornly refuse to believe him. If we
persist in our unbelief, God will eventually leave
us alone in our sin. But God can give us new
hearts, new desires, and new spirits (Ezekiel
36:22-27). To prevent having an unbelieving heart, stay
in fellowship with other believers, talk daily
about your mutual faith, be aware of the
deceitfulness of sin (it attracts but also destroys), and
encourage each other with love and concern. [Life
Application SB]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Hebrews 3:12-14 - Caution with Choices and
Be an Encourager.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200921-1134.html
Hebrews 3:13 - Encouragement As A Weapon
Against Sin.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20151102-1453.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/