Endurance

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

ENDURE: to undergo (as a hardship) especially without giving in; to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding (i)

To endure temptation.  How are you doing enduring temptation?  Are you consistently standing firm when tempted?  Are you resisting temptation?  Are you fighting for obedience?
OR
Do you start out well but acquiesce after a time?  Do you talk yourself out of obedience by convincing yourself it isn’t really sin?  Perhaps I should say it another way… are you falling for the deception and lie of Satan being convinced it isn’t as bad as God says?  Do you fail to endure the temptation?
OR
Are you so busy, so distracted by life and perhaps even serving that you don’t even notice temptation AS temptation?
OR
Have you long since given up the fight and no longer even begin to resist the temptation?  Have you just accepted that “thing” as a normal part of your life?  (ii)

Endurance requires intention, commitment, awareness, perseverance, and yes, suffering.  Why do we fail to endure?  There are a lot of reasons but one is because there is suffering involved.  To endure temptation means we have to suffer the loss of what the temptation seems to be offering.

Enduring temptation requires a long-view perspective.  Temptation screams NOW, endurance draws our attention to the long-term blessing.  What awaits us when we endure the temptation? Blessing, approval (passed the test ) and the crown of life.

Will you fight to endure today?

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!

i http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endure
iiJohn MacArthur. The MacArthur Bible Commentary, 2005