Enduring Temptation

James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Yielding to temptation is easy but enduring temptation is tough but the Word of God says “Blessed is he who endures temptation." Temptation does not come from God. James 1:13-14 clearly says “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

Genesis 39 speaks about the temptation that Joseph endured. This temptation existed for quite some time to Joseph but God provided a way to escape from the temptation. Even for us God makes an exit plan from our temptation as it says in I Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” But when He shows a way out of your temptation, follow Lord’s plan, without resisting, even if it seems too tough at that time. The exit plan for Joseph was that he was put in prison. Genesis 39:20-21 says “And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” In the prison, the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. From there Joseph went on to become a ruler of Egypt as it says in Genesis 41:41 “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.” Joseph was blessed immensely because he loved the Lord and endured the temptation!

Yes, blessed is the man that endures temptation. When he is tried he shall receive a crown of life that is promised to him that loves the Lord. Are you ready to resist the temptation that you are facing in your life today? If you resist the temptation and endure it, you are sure to receive the crown of life. May the merciful Lord help us all to resist temptations in our life!