Why am I being tempted now?

As a Christian, that is what is know as having to ‘fight the good fight’ - internally, we battle good vs evil every day of our lives - it is only through Him (Jesus) and His power and the Holy Spirit who dwells within can we resist temptation - we’re not perfect (only He was) so we’re going to mess up now and then - but the great thing is we can ask for forgiveness and His word says ‘He is faithful and just to forgive’ - we can’t resist temptation alone - This is my understanding/belief…great question !!

You are only being tempted by your own “human nature”.

Dear bananagirl92,

Most of these answers say something of what I would tell you: Satan presses hardest when you are turning away from evil to good, that God will and does support you in temptation, even when it seems he is nowhere near, that you really need the support of a good community, that by themselves drinking in moderation and similar “sins” are not really sins.

I might also mention another thing: while the Bible is very important for knowing what God is calling us to, we also need the nourishment of the heart. That comes from spending time with God, in prayer. It comes from talking to other believers, sharing your struggles and your faith journey. But, most of all, I have found that it comes from approaching the Table of the Lord and receiving his own Body and Blood as food for the journey. After all, we have already proved we are sinners, too weak to hold the gift of heaven by ourselves. It is only in Christ’s strength, his gift of grace, that we can hope to change and return to true virtue. This is why I belong to a sacramental church: we have not only the Bible as a guide, but the Spirit and the sacraments to strengthen us and keep us moving towards where God wants us. Come, join us!

Several thoughts…

1. God is not a vending machine. If your expectation is that you give God a couple hours on Sunday and a few prayers during the week, suddenly he will bend the universe to your desires, that’s just not how it works. What were your expectations?

2. The Christian life is a process, by which God conforms us more and more to the image of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a joyful process, but by no means free from discouragement and trial. In fact, difficult circumstances are promised to anyone who would follow Christ. The verse in James about resisting the devil is often quoted, but is missing the full quotation. We do not simply resist once and the devil never bothers us. The verse is: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Submission is a process.

3. Christians are not prohibited from smoking and drinking. In fact, the Bible says that God “gave wine to gladden the hearts of men.” If you have a pattern of sinful excess, then you must of course break this habit. But you do not need to feel under tremendous weight if you have a glass of wine. Also, avoid circumstances wherein you know you will be pressured to sin.

Finally, I wish I could encourage you, but the internet is about the worst way to be communicating spiritual advice. Please seek out the encouragement of your fellow Christians at your church.

the Lord be with you,

Austin Storm

its what christians call “satan is testing u” u must be robot u must resist you see satan ask’s god can i test him 2 see how faithfull he is 2 you and god say’s yes go ahead. to such an extent that JOB in the bible lost everything god even said yes 2 satan 2 kill his wife and kids 2 see if he would stay faithfull, do u want 2 pray 2 a god that will say yes 2 satan when he ask’s 2 do something 2 his ppl its not a test we dont mean anything 2 god we r just amusement 2 god and why do christians alway say if a loved on die’s it was gods will he seems 2 be having fun satan comes 2 him gives him a new idea on who and how he want 2 kill someone and go say yes do it let me just get some popcorn and iv book the seat in the front. iv stoped the whole christian thing coz i wont worship a coward god that cant say no 2 satan once and 4 all he has the power so why hasent he gotten rid of him years ago who is realy in command god or SATAN their is just 2 many loop hole’s in christianity. if u want 2 know what i and alot of others say, god nor satan even exist

Bananagurl92, There are scripture verses here that can/will be of use to you. First of all in 1Corinithians 10:13 it states,” 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 a way of escape that you may be able to bear it.” In the book of James chapter 1 verses 2 - 4,” My brethern(women included), count it all joy when you fall into various trials/temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But, let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.”Also, James 1 verses 12 - 15 gives a clear scenario of what happens when we give in to these temptations. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when they are tempted,’ I am tempted by God’, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he/she is drawn away by his/her own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown brings forth death. On a personal experience note, You WILL be tempted especially when you make a decision to follow Christ. Why? Because Satan knows that when you are on your way to hell even if you “go” to church he doesn’t need to draw you away from God. BUT, when you follow Christ or are a new Christian the opposition, discouragement, anger, hatred, losing friends is all part of the devil’s plans to get you to quit. Let me encourage you. As the bible says, “God will make a way of escape”. Hold on to that with all your heart because it does help. Second, pray and seek God’s face this is very important!! Third, if nothing else run from the temptation, (smoking, drinking) and the like. Fourth, DO NOT allow yourself to be in a situation that could lead to a temptation becoming sin. God Bless, and press on bgurl press on!!

It sounds more like “peer-pressure”

If someone offers you drugs or alcohol, and you’re not interested, SAY NO.

If you’re curious but uncertain… SAY NO.

God is simply testing your strength and your faith. Remember he will never give you to much that you can’t handle. Resist the temptations.

SOMEONE TO COUNT ON

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

                                                                                      Psalm 37:25

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.

                                                                                      Psalm 16:1

God, thank you for the comforting light of your presence and the comforting strenght of your arm that lead me carefully through the dark places in my life. Amen.

We are in school, here on earth, the bible is the text book, and life is the teacher, Jesus is our savior and judge. The word tells us how to live, life tells God how we live, we are expected to learn and grow,according to what the text book says, Jesus watches over us, sometimes things happen, just to see what we will do, other times, they just happen, and we have to deal with them, however, we are always supposed to respond according to what the word says… Jesus watches to see if we obey… if we don’t, at some point, he will step in, and do things to get out attention… We can do it the easy way, or we can do it the hard way… or we can wish we did… we belong to God. we have been bought with a price.. Jesus blood, we are to follow him…

ok im 17:] and i looove GOD… i didnt believe in Him until three yrs ago i decided to follow Him… as i started i thought God was gonna make my life perfect and i wasnt gonna have to suffer… er WRONG… as you get closer to God, the devil tempts you more… and if you say you are getting tons of temptations is maybe because the devil knows you are a very strong person… i say hang in there and God will see you have a pure heart filled with love towards HIm… hang in there and just say NO… and if you fail ask for forgiveness and our God will forgive you:] and in the end everything is worth it… you learn how to control temptations… trust me:)

Just because your going to church doesnt me you have the key to the future, the main thing about church is things dont work out how you want them, its the way GOD wants them. Are you really putting you life in his hands, it sounds like youre living life but your rules and will and not his. It not just going to be easy cause you atarted praying, do you always give up so easy. And yes there is alot of temptation for new Christians, maybe you should seek advice from your church, get a support system of your peers and stop trying to throw in the towel because it not working how you thought it would and now that life never works out how you tink it will.

I think that the devil know you’re growing closer to God and he hates that!!!

JC is my homedog!!!