The temptation is the bait that satan’s dangles in front of us. James 1:14 says that we won’t fall for it unless, “…he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” This verse clearly delineates the process. 

The temptation may be visible, or a suggestive thought. Let’s pick up the first word from 2 Timothy 2:22. Flee! Don’t give it another thought. Thoughts have motivations derived from what we believe. Temptations are aimed at our hearts, which is our belief center.

I am so grateful that the Lord knows my thoughts before I even think them. 1 Chronicles 28:9 Amplified says, “…For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands the wanderings of the thoughts…”

Hebrews 4:12 says of God’s word that it pierces, “…even to the division of the soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Have you ever had a good intention, but failed to follow through? 

Temptations are not fought by good intentions or willpower. They are fought against through applying truth from God’s word.

Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Think a moment. Every person. Jesus bore the sins of our own way. That is staggering to me.

Peter quoted that verse in 1 Peter 2:25. Verse 24 says, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

Did you see the Passion Of Christ? I did. I vividly remember the scene where Jesus was scourged. Pieces of sharp objects were tied on the whip’s cord. They dug into His back and ripped it to shreds.

His stripes. May that be a visual for us the next time we are tempted to act independently of the Lord. Romans 6 is a great chapter to help us remember. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we were buried with Him in baptism into death. We sin because we bit satan’s bait ~ deceived.

My working definition for iniquity comes from John 15:5 which says, “…for without Me you can do nothing.” Iniquity is acting independent of God. As we saw in some earlier devotionals, those who didn’t finish well were looking to man’s ways rather than the Lord’s way.

Proverbs 3:7-8 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.” Hebrews 3:12 says, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.”

Isaiah 53 was written 700 years before Jesus died on the cross for us. Verse 5 says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”

Jesus died bearing our sins that were committed, because we were acting independent of Him. He died because of them. We are duped by the devil when we make the conscious decision to do things in our own strength.

I have a mentee that will not forgive the one who hurt her deeply. She is tormented. She breaks glass and cuts herself with it. She uses drugs. She cannot sleep. She has to live with her mom because she is not functional. Though she understands that she has been forgiven, she says, “I can’t forgive.” Using can’t is translated as not being willing.

Who has hurt you? Even if they have passed away, carrying unforgiveness in your heart is hurting you. This is often the case with those who carry grudges. The person they hold the grudge against has no clue. 

Unforgiveness is often the root to chronic diseases. It certainly disrupts and often destroys marriages, and creates destructive interpersonal relationships. Years ago, a friend of mine died, I wondered “Was it worth all their anger, bitterness, and railing over the years?”

Jesus died on the cross. He bore the sins of every human that ever lived and will live. He paid the price by taking our place. Rejecting His offer of salvation, will plunge one into a Christless eternity of torment.

Acts 8:22 reveals unforgiveness is intrinsic in our thoughts. It says, “…the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.” Verse 23 reveals the impact. It says, “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

This is from page 56 in my book, “Victorious Garden: true heart forgiveness.” ‘Here is a vivid example of what unforgiveness does. The Etruscan pirates’ form of torture was to tie a living person to a rotting corpse, face to face, mouth to mouth, limb to limb, with an obsessive exactitude in which each part of the body corresponded with its matching putrefying counterpart. Shackled to their rotting double, they were left to decay.’

Matthew 18:23-35 is the parable of the unforgiving servant. Verse 34 says that his angry master, “…delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.” Verse 35 brings it home to us. It says, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” Are you tormented?

The book of Isaiah was written 700 years before Jesus died. It was a prophetic word of what was to come. Isaiah 53:4 says, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”

Verse 5 says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we were healed.” Verse 6 declared us as the ones He died for.

It says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I love the word all because it means everyone without exception.

My cousins are archers. Sin means to miss the mark of God’s standard. We cannot earn salvation. It is a gift that was purchased for us through the death of Jesus. In receiving His gift we gain eternal life with Him forever.

1 John 2:2 says, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” 4:10 says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Propitiation describes Jesus’ sacrificial death, as appeasing God’s wrath on our sin. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Jesus died in our place. Isaiah 53:10 says, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin…” 

Verse 11 says, “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many.” Romans 3:24 says, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” 

The enemies of Judah were on their way to come against them. 2 Chronicles 20:12 says, “…For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

The Lord sent a Levite to speak His words to him. Verse 15 says, “…Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God.” Great words for us to remember. 

The Lord brought an amazing victory. He sent ambushes and defeated their enemies. Verse 32 says, “And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. “

Yet he derailed at the end. He allied himself with a wicked king to make ships. Verse 37 says, “…Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works. Then the ships were wrecked…”

Ask: “Holy Spirit, are there any alliances in my life that are opposing God’s will and ways?” Finishing well glorifies Him.

The story of Asa’s derailment continued. He became diseased in his feet. 2 Chronicles 16:12 says, “…yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.” Asa starting out seeking the Lord through each situation. Then near the end of his reign he sought man.

Jehoshphat was Asa’s son. 17:4 says that the Lord was with him because he, “…sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel.”

Verse 6 says, “And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord…” He sent out his leaders and Levites to teach the people the Book of the Law. He allied himself with Ahab who was the wicked king of Israel. He went out to battle with him to help him.

In 19:2 the Lord sent a seer to speak to him.. It says, “…Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you.” The Lord stayed him hand during his reign. I encourage you to read chapter 20.

I’m reading through 2 Chronicles. I want to showcase two kings. They started well, but they derailed in the end. 2 Chronicles 14:2 says, “Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.” He removed the altars of the foreign gods, and commanded Judah to seek the Lord. 

An army with a million men and three hundred chariots came against them. Asa had 500, 800. In verse 11 Asa cried out to the Lord saying, “…Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us O Lord our God, for we rest on You…”

The Lord struck the Ethiopians.  They were overthrown and could not recover. Then Asa and the people entered into a covenant to seek the Lord.  15:16 says, “…and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them…”

Then Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah. Asa entered into a treaty with another king to help him. God sent a seer to Asa saying, “…in this you have done foolishly…” 16:9