Self Control And The Barriers Against The Sinful Attacks Of Satan

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls...Is a man who has no control over his spirit." ~ Proverbs 25.28

"The good character of a wise and virtuous man is implied. He is one that has rule over his own spirit; he maintains the government of himself, and of his own appetites and passions, and does not suffer them to rebel against reason and conscience. He has the rule of his own thoughts, his desires, his inclinations, his resentments, and keeps them all in good order.

"a man who has no control over his spirit"

The bad case of a vicious man, who has not this rule over his own spirit, who, when temptations to excess are before him, has no government of himself, when he is provoked breaks out into exorbitant passions, such a one is like a city that is broken down and without walls. All that is good goes out, and forsakes him; all that is evil breaks in upon him. He lies exposed to all the temptations of Satan and becomes an easy prey to that enemy; he is also liable to many troubles and vexations; it is likewise as much a reproach to him as it is to a city to have its walls ruined."

~ Matthew Henry

James 1.13-16 And Your Children

Over the last few weeks I have been preaching through James 1.13-16...

"Let no one say when he is tempted , "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren."

As a family we have been talking about all the many ways we are tempted to sin against God. One of the things that I was challenged to do is to find out what my wife is being tempted with each day and our older children. And one of the interesting and humbling things that has come out of these daily discussions with our children is that Stephanie and I now have one of our boys, Micah, who is asking us almost every day, "have you been tempted today to sin?" Wow!

This is something that I wasn't expecting to happen or even ready for, but in a good way is 'rocking our world'. I mean...I wasn't expecting to be held accountable by my six year old and have to give an account of the things that are tempting me in life...whether I stand firm against them or not.

So have any of you found this to be taking place in your family?

Maybe you're a few years ahead of us in the parenting years and can offer some good biblical advice or encouragement. I find this to be very interesting and healthy, but at the same time it is somewhat different for your child to ask you this question every day expecting a truthful answer.

I am happy and thankful to God that he is taking temptation to sin very seriously and I hope he perseveres in his life to always battle the enemy within and remain strong in the grace of God.

Never Blame God For Your Sin!

I've been preaching through the epistle of James for several weeks and in the context of this Sunday's message James 1.13-17, I thought that I would quote Piper from his twitter page.

"To be caught in secret sin is a horrible thing. Only one thing worse. Not to be caught."

So here is a reminder of the origin of temptation and sin...

"Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." ~James 1.13-14

A Great Reply To The Accuser

From a post by Doug Phillips....which he got from an online article by Carl Trueman

It is well-known that in his writings in table conversation Luther would often refer to visits from the Devil, how the Devil would come to him and whisper in his ear, accusing him of all manner of filthy sin: "Martin, you are a liar, greedy, lecherous, a blasphemer, a hypocrite. You cannot stand before God."

To which Luther would respond: "Well, yes, I am. And, indeed, Satan, you do not know the half of it. I have done much worse than that and if you care to give me your full list, I can no doubt add to it and help make it more complete. But you know what? My Saviour has died for all my sins - those you mention, those I could add and, indeed, those I have committed but am so wicked that I am unaware of having done so. It does not change the fact that Christ has died for all of them; his blood is sufficient; and on the Day of Judgment I shall be exonerated because he has taken all my sins on himself and clothed me in his own perfect righteousness.

Luther knew what temptation looked like; he knew his own wickedness; but he also knew the all-surpassing perfection and grace of Christ.