James 1:14 is a behind the scenes look at the bait used to entrap us through temptations. It says, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

I want to couple this with Judges 16. Samson was a Nazarite from birth. His parents were given specific instructions. Samson violated them on several occasions. He was a judge in Israel for twenty years, and a mortal enemy of the Philistines.

Samson also was an immoral man. He was tempted, drawn away by his own desires, and enticed. In verse 5 the lord of the Philistines said to Delilah, a harlot, “…Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him…” 

The secret hidden sins in our hearts, ignite our smoldering desires which will lead us right into the trap set to overpower and defeat us.

If you struggle with fear, take Isaiah 41:10 like medicine ~ three times a day. God is with us, because He is IN us. Entertaining fearful thoughts causes dirt to be piled upon our gift of heart peace. Though it is there, fear has distracted us from its presence.

Peace is an irrevocable gift, but it is maintained through our thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” The Hebrew word for stayed means to lean upon.

I love Psalm 55:22. It says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Here is my working definition for casting something on the Lord. In Acts 28:3 a poisonous viper fastened on his hand. Verse 4 says he shook it off. When a thought of fear comes ~ shake off the distraction!

It is good to remember Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy 1:7. It says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” The Greek definition for sound mind is: good judgement, disciplined thought patterns, and the ability to understand and make right decisions.

Fear is the enemy of disciplined thoughts. Fear, like worry, divides the mind. I often remind myself of Job’s words. Job 3:25 says, “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.”

Fear plots a mental pathway that can become a rut we fall into. I’ve heard that fear is misplaced faith. Since faith is in One Who never changes, fear is therefore the fruit of worry which may never happen. As children of the Living God, we have nothing to fear. 

Matthew 6:25 says, “Therefore…” What is the therefore there for? Verse 25 clearly states that no one can serve two masters. Let’s continue the verse, “…do not worry about your life…” 

The Greek word’s definition for worry: to divide into two parts. Worry is a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure. Well we all know the word stress. Did you know that stress can serve us?

We can use stress as a signal to remind us that we are absolutely dependent on the Lord. We tend to forget that when we feel overwhelmed. John 15:5 is my reminder. It says, “…without Me you can do nothing.” It is so succinct.

Since our thoughts control our brain, worry tells our brain that all is not well. It then signals our body which throws us into perpetual fight or flight ~ generating stress hormones.

What is the number one enemy of intention? Distractions. Daniel purposed in his heart long before he was ever faced with the temptation to defile himself with unclean foods. What are you doing to ensure that you follow through with your intentions?

I have heard “Well they had good intentions” many times in my life. Intention failed. I like to remind myself often of 1 Chronicles 28:9. David was instructing his son Solomon. 

It says, “…serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intents of the thoughts…” Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s word, “…is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

As we hide God’s word in our hearts, we are ensuring that our intentions will be followed through with. When we are attentive to the Holy Spirit’s direction, our flesh will be silenced. Galatians 5:16. 

Worship is not an event ~ it is a lifestyle. It is also a life-skill. I love the four-prongs of Psalm 98:4. It says, “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.” The first three indicate spontaneous worship. Each one could be describing worship with a new song.

To sing praises in Hebrew means to sing songs accompanied by musical instruments. I love the picture of David. He was full-on worshiping the Lord as they brought in the ark. 1 Chronicles 15:29 says that King David was whirling and playing music.

We have so much to be thankful for. When we focus on what the Lord has done for us, it sets the stage to shout joyfully, break into song, or just rejoice in Him. Paul encouraged his readers to “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4.