Category: Temptation

Bible Verse of The Day – 6-10-20

James 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

If most of us were asked what or who we are tempted by, the vast majority would say that we are tempted by the devil.

And while this may be partially correct, let’s look closely at the verses above, where we will find some revealing insights about this.

First off, it’s important that we understand that we are never, ever tempted by God.

God has no darkness nor evil in Him, therefore He cannot tempt anyone with what is evil.

We are tempted by what is in us. Let me explain.

The scripture above states that we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own desires.

The desires within us cause us to be tempted, lured away, and drawn into sin. If we were 100% clean, and free of sinful desires, being tempted would have no power over us. We would simply turn and walk away without giving it (the temptation) a second glance.

But, because of what is hidden inside of us, we become tempted.

Maybe you’re asking how we can fix this, or how we can ever avoid being tempted and caught up in sin.

We have to learn to let God change our desires.

God has a way of “cleaning us up” that will remove our evil desires and replace them with righteous desires.

It doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it doesn’t necessarily happen in a few days or a few weeks. It can happen that quickly in some cases, but that’s not the norm.

The cleaning up of our desires is a process that takes place as we surrender and submit to God, allowing Him to transform and renew our minds with His word, through the Holy Spirit.

So, how fast it happens for us is our own choice, based on how quickly we let Him go to work in our hearts and our minds.

One thing is for sure, though. As we do submit and surrender, we will never, ever be disappointed in what He does in us.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 2-20-20

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

With temptation there will also always come a way for us to escape it. As we walk through life there is temptation all around us.

Nowadays everything is so carefree.

People do what they want, dress the way they want, be who they want. It’s all about what we want to do and how we want to do it. Just about everything and anything goes.

It’s hard for Christians not be tempted. At times when we are tired and we have been busy, with a lot on our minds, it’s easy to get caught off guard. It’s going to happen to the best of us.

But remember, no matter what we are tempted with, God has made an escape. So, don’t fall for it. And don’t try using the excuse that we were caught off guard.

It’s up to us to be alert. It’s up to us to be watching, listening and sharp. Why? Because we have an enemy that roams about looking for those he can devour, including followers of Christ.

He wants to destroy every one of us. And tempting us is his way.

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Stay vigilant, alert, attentive and awake. If temptation tries to overtake us, God is always there with an escape plan.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 5-23-19

James 1:14 (NKJV) 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

Temptation does not come from God. It comes when we are drawn away from what we know is right and we tap into the things that are wrong. We open the door for temptation to have its way.

Who opens the door? We do.

It’s so important that we realize it’s not anyone’s fault but ours. We open the door to it.

It will come and try to lure us in, and if we flirt with it enough, we won’t even care anymore if it is right or wrong. Our own desires will draw us away.

Some of us today are being tempted with some pretty major things, jealousy, porn, greed, anger, lust, drugs, alcohol, etc.

If we are the ones that open this door to our desires, we must also be the ones to close the door. Only we can do it.

No counselor can close it for us. We have to do it. No medication will stop the temptation. We have to stop it. No excuses for why we do it will justify it. We have to take the step and shut the door.

How do we stop being drawn away?

We stop it by changing the desires that we have toward these certain things.

Let us help you by joining together and praying for complete deliverance from these things. If we really mean it with all sincerity, God will help change our desires.

Dear God,

I come to you this day and ask for your help. I am tempted by things that are not good for me and my walk with You. And I know that it is because I enjoy what I am doing. I admit that they are desires in my own heart. Forgive me, Father. I don’t want to enjoy these things that are wrong, I don’t want to enjoy things that are bad for me. Please help me to take a stand and say, “No more”. Help me to not be drawn away by my own desires. I need You, Father. I need your strength, your discipline and all Your wisdom to get past this.

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-25-19

2 Corinthians 11:13-14 (NKJV) 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

It’s important to know and understand that satan will try to come as an angel of light.  He will try to tempt us with things that look really, really good because he knows we like GOOD!

And most times those things will be so very close to the real deal that it is hard to tell them apart. It will be pretty, shiny and have bells and whistles to make sure it gets our attention.

We can be sure if it’s from him, it will bring nothing but destruction to us one way or another.

We have to learn to see through his temptation and his plan to bring destruction upon us.

He will use things that we may need or things that we really want, including finances, material things or even someone’s appearance.

In trying to throw us off, he will even go so low as to use ministers and spiritual leaders that have backslidden in their walk with God. In order to stop him we have to shut it down by resisting him.

James 4:7 (NKJV) 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

It’s not always easy to figure out what he is up to because he is sneaky and he will disguise himself and his plan to get us to take his bait. But when we do see it for what it is, we can’t hesitate and we can’t play with it.

And we can’t even entertain the thought of “just checking it out”. We need to move quickly and run far away from it.

If he is using people, drop them. If he is using finances, dump it. If he is using appearances to tempt us, let them go. If he is moving through a leader, move on from there and find another place to go and learn, etc.

Cry out to God today and ask for His help in keeping our feet from falling into the trap of the enemy. Amen.

Psalm 56:13 (NKJV) 13 For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?

Be sure to let God guide us in our choices and decisions before we say “YES”. He will show us if we are on the verge of getting hooked by our enemy.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 1-17-19

Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

We all struggle with sin on varying levels. Each day we face different kinds of temptations that attempt to lead us from the path that God has set before us.

Do we stray, or do we stay steadfast on God’s path?

It’s safe to say that we all disappoint God and ourselves sometimes, as we make the wrong choice and fall to those temptations. It’s not what we want to do, but we do it anyway.

So, how do we fix this? How do we stop falling into the trap of sin?

God’s word. That’s how!

God’s word is the key to avoiding temptation and giving in to temptation. We need to “hide” God’s word in our hearts. Why? Because hiding it in our hearts keeps us closer to God.

As we store His word in our hearts, it gives us a “well” to draw from. And when we are in need of something, the Holy Spirit will remind us of the things we have read in God’s word. Those little reminders will help steer us away from sin.

But if we fail to “fill our well”, we will never have anything to quench our thirst when we need it! There will be no words there to be reminded of, and it will make it easier for us to fall into sin when we are tempted.

Hiding God’s word in our hearts also gives us heightened discernment. As God’s spirit prompts us about different things, we are more apt to hear Him and give heed to what He says. This will also help keep us from falling when temptation comes our way.

While this might seem oversimplified, it’s a basic truth that we can’t overlook. Doing so will be detrimental to our spiritual health and wellbeing, and will cost us dearly over our lifetime.

Hide His word in our hearts, that we might not sin against Him.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 1-5-19

Hebrews 2:18 (NKJV) 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Temptation comes in many forms. And we can be tempted in many different areas of our lives.

Most people tend to think only about sexual sins when it comes to being tempted. And although this may seem like one of the most prevalent types of sins, there are a host of others that we get barraged with each and every day.

Sometimes the sins that are the easiest to be lured into are the ones we consider to be “less bad” than others.

These might be things like using company property for personal tasks. Or maybe keeping the extra change that the cashier accidentally gives us at the store. It might be one of a million other things like these that don’t seem blatant enough to be noticed by others.

We also may be tempted in the area of pride and power. Jesus was tempted with these when the devil offered to give Him all that He could see, if He would just bow down and worship him. But Jesus flat our refused, and He rebuked the devil with God’s word.

The thing is, we all deal with these temptations every minute of the day no matter who we are or how close we are to God. The best part is that the closer we are to God, the easier they are for us to fend off.

Why? Because as we draw closer and closer to God, our heart is slowly transformed to become more and more conformed to His will. This helps us fight off temptation much more quickly and with more power.

God has told us in the scripture above that if we are tempted, He will help us fight that temptation. He has also given us this promise:

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Let’s be careful and pay attention to the things we’re tempted with. Even those things that are very subtle and seem less damaging than others can lead us astray if we’re not careful

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-18-18

James 1:14 (NKJV) 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

Most times when we are feeling temptation it is only because we hold within in us the desire to do whatever it may be that is tempting us at that moment.

In order to get rid of the temptation, we have to hit that desire that’s within us with the Word of God.

Studying the scriptures that strictly pertain to that subject will help us to overcome that temptation, if we listen and let the Holy Spirit guide us, giving us the strength to push down our own fleshly desire.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We have to remember we do not fight temptation on our own. We use the two-edged sword for that. God gives us the power we need through His Word, to win.

Many Christians struggle with some kind of temptation. Don’t just sit there and cry out to God for help. We need to get up and start helping ourselves by looking for the scriptures, the answers to our own questions. God didn’t give up on us. He made a way for us. Most times we have to go get it.

Dear God in Heaven,

We come to You today to ask for help in getting free from personal temptation. We know we need to take steps within ourselves to win this fight. Help us to kick out those wrong desires within us and get the right ones manifesting through the reading and studying of what You have to say about them.

We thank you Father, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 6-24-18

The Temptation That Leads to TemptationGreetings in the name of our wonderful Savior! 

Each and every day that we live, we deal with temptation. It’s just part of life. 

Many times, the choices that we make from one minute to the next can either steer us toward temptation or away from it. Today’s video covers this topic. 

Please click here to watch the video now. 

God is always faithful to warn us ahead of time, giving us the opportunity to avoid being tempted. 

Please click here to watch the video now. 

He will often also alert us if we make a choice that can lead us toward temptation, instead of away from it. Whether we listen and heed His prompting can make all the difference in the world. 

We hope you will take a few minutes and watch this short video. 

Please click here to watch the video now. 

Sincerely in Christ, 

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie 

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808 

401-315-0902 

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Bible Verse of The Day – 5-10-18

Mark 14:38 (NKJV) 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Watch and pray. This is what Jesus instructed His disciples to do when He was heading off to pray by Himself. He was in a time of great duress and needed to get alone to spend time with the Father.

For many years I never really paid much attention to the truth behind that phrase, “watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation”. Until today.

As Pastor Ellie and I were out walking today, we were discussing some various Biblical topics and this verse came to mind. And God showed me that the words that Jesus spoke here are instrumental for all of us if we wish to understand the key to avoiding and overcoming temptation in our own lives.

It has been taught by so many, including us, that to be tempted is not a sin. And this is still true. Giving in to temptation is sinful, not the temptation itself.

But, there is a very important principle here that many of us miss. And if we can get a good grasp on it, it has the power and potential to change our lives drastically.

It’s this; understanding the secret to avoid being tempted!

Many times we become tempted because of choices we make, things we do. We tend to put ourselves in situations where temptation comes easily, and we find ourselves constantly fighting it off. This can be very tiring after a while.

So, why don’t we just learn how to avoid the temptations altogether, right?

How do we do that? What do we do in order to keep temptation away? Watch and pray.

As we learn to watch and pray, we will become acutely more aware of everything going on around us, especially in the spiritual realm. This will cause us to be far less likely to put ourselves in situations where we become tempted.

This is something that God has been teaching me to put into practice for several years now, but today He showed me how to put it into words so it can also help others.

We hope it will help you too.

Watch and pray!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 5-7-18

Matthew 6:22 (NKJV) 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

We need to be discerning when it comes to what we get ourselves involved in. It can affect our whole being. It will determine our direction.

We can’t let those little things that aren’t good for us sneak in and have a hold on us. They will take us down. It’s those little foxes that spoil the vine.

Song of Solomon 2:15 (NKJV) 15 Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.

There are foxes all around, and this world is not going to make it easy for us either. We must work hard and be on our toes in order to catch those things that sneak up, before they take root.

The good news is that God is right here with us. He gives us the strength, discipline and a way out if we ask for His help and we pay attention to His promptings.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

We have no excuse. He will make a way out. We just need to follow His leading. Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 3-10-18

Luke 22:40 (NKJV) 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Temptation comes in many forms. It isn’t always blatant in its attempts. Sometimes it’s very subtle.

And, the things we are tempted with can also sometimes be subtle and seemingly innocent.

When we are tempted, especially if we are fairly mature as a believer, the temptation might not show itself as directly leading into sin. Instead, we may be tempted to doubt or even to move away from God, even if ever so slightly.

You see, if the enemy can get us to move even slightly away from God, he will work on us a little at a time to keep at it. And before we know it, we are far enough away from Him to begin believing lies as truth, or to accept wrong as right.

Then this leads to a growing amount of sin in our lives. So, what started out as a single, small temptation, leads us down a path that slowly, but surely leads us further away from God, instead of closer to Him.

So, it’s imperative that we recognize temptation in all of its forms, and we turn and run from it as soon as we see it for what it is.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page. 

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Click the player below listen to today’s devotional.

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