INTRODUCTION

Every individual to a certain degree is a prime target for temptation. Yet, because of personal choices and circumstances, some people are a far greater target than others. According to scripture, ungodly fellowship (Exodus 23:33They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
See All...; Exodus 34:12Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:
See All...; Proverbs 22:24-26 [24] Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: [25] Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. [26] Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
See All...), riches (Deuteronomy 7:25The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therin: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.
See All...; 1 Timothy 6:9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
See All...), and broken vows (Proverbs 20:25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
See All...) are a few of the things that weaken the believer’s ability to endure temptation. Some of these are blatantly sinful while others can be innocent. Each believer needs to diligently seek the Lord regardless of whether or not any of these things are present in his life. However, the presence of these things only works to heighten a man’s temptations.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): How did the desire to be rich cause the following men to sin: Achan (Joshua 7:11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
  See All..., 21); Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27 [20] But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. [21] So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? [22] And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. [23] And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. [24] And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. [25] But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. [26] And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? [27] The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
  See All...); Judas (Matthew 26:14-16 [14] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, [15] And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. [16] And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
  See All...)? Wrong companions caused God’s people to serve other gods (Psalm 106:34-36 [34] They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: [35] But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. [36] And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
  See All...; 1 Kings 11:4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
  See All..., 9-10).
• (For everyone): What things exist in your life that might cause you to become prone to temptations? Do any of these things need to be removed, or do you consider them necessary evils?
• How many temptations could you have avoided if you would have simply removed things from your life that made you an easier target for temptation?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you inspect your life for dangers.
• Thank God for protecting you from many troubles.

HYMN

TRUSTING JESUS

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