Only If

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Another way of saying this is that you will never suffer temptation over things which you do not like. We have all had sin in our lives. We did some of it because it pleased our flesh. Lust and enticement come via experience. Your experiences of a past life do not expire.

I’ve chosen a new path, I desire to follow in the Way. That Way takes me through the enemies territory for it is only there that sinners can be found. At every turn I see the sins of my memories being acted out by others.

A man offers me marijuana. The mere smell of it turns my stomach. In days past it would have been nothing to accept but now it does not tempt me. Then there are other sins which do not repulse me. What do I do about those offers?

1 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.

God has said I can resist. In the case of the joint I was not able to resist so God changed me so as I would not be tempted, I do not have that desire any longer. In other cases where desire of the flesh has not escaped me, God says I am able to resist on my own. When confronted there is something within me that makes it possible resist temptation. All I have to do is find that part of me.

1 Corinthians 13:5-7 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

The love of Christ compels me to resist.

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