What’s On My Mind

I am afraid the Lord’s people labor under an unnecessary guilt too often. And it is because they do equate temptation with sinning. We can think/feel if we are tempted to think, talk or act in ways that are sinful, that we are guilty of those particular sins. But such is not the case.  James said we can be drawn away by our lusts, but that lust must conceive (yielding to the temptation) for it to bring forth sin (James 1:14-15).  If we don’t yield, by God’s grace, we have not sinned. Remember that. And let it be a reason to praise the Lord. And recall that there is no temptation that has taken you, but such is common to man and that God is faithful to provide a way of escape. Recognize that while we fail and sin in our walk with the Lord, we often resist temptation, thereby escaping. Don’t be hard on your self unnecessarily. Realize that temptation is not the same as sinning. It has been my observation that anyone can succeed at anything if they are disciplined or diligent. Solomon said if you see a man diligent in his business; that man will stand before kings (Prov.22:29). Whatever that business might be, he will stand before kings. So whether learning to grow a garden, building a business, winning the lost or playing an instrument. Be diligent (disciplined) and that person will succeed. They may not succeed as highly as others, but they will succeed. Stars vary in brightness and glory, but they are all stars.