TEMPTATION’S SONGBIRD: ESCAPING SIN WITH DIVINE STRENGTH
TEXT: Psalms 19:13; James 1:12
KEY VERSE: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Psalms 19:13
Temptation is like a beautiful songbird, singing a sweet melody of sin. It flutters in and out of our lives, promising pleasure and comfort, but its ultimate goal is to ensnare us in its clutches. And just as we cannot prevent the bird from singing, we cannot prevent temptation from coming our way. But we can choose to resist its lure. The Bible warns us of the danger of temptation, likening it to a crafty lion prowling in the wilderness, waiting for the opportunity to devour its prey. In 1 Peter 5:8, we read: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’ And yet, though the tempter may roam free, seeking to ensnare us in his net, the Lord doth promise that He shall not suffer us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist. For the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians doth write, ‘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.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Thus, though the songbird’s melody may be alluring, we must heed the warning of the Lord and resist its siren call. For though temptation doth seek to lull us into complacency, the grace of God doth strengthen us to resist and remain steadfast in the faith. Yea, let us remember the words of the Apostle James, who saith in James 4:7, ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ Let us not allow the tempter to ensnare us in his trap, but let us resist him with the power of God’s grace. For as the Psalmist doth proclaim, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Psalm 27:1) And let us not forget that though temptation may be strong, the power of God’s love is even stronger. For the Apostle John doth write in 1 John 4:4, ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ Thus, let us stand firm in the faith, resisting temptation and relying on God’s strength. Let us cast aside the songbird’s seduction and instead choose the path of righteousness.
As we close this discourse, let us ponder the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 91:4, ‘He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.’ May we seek refuge in the shelter of God’s wings, trusting in His love and protection. May we choose to resist temptation, avoiding its siren call and instead singing praises to God. And as we go forth into the world, let us remember that the songbird of temptation will always be present, seeking to ensnare us in its grasp. But let us hold fast to our faith, relying on God’s strength and trusting in His grace. Amen.
SEARCHLIGHT: Temptation is like a beautiful songbird, seeking to lure us into sin. But we can resist it with faith and trust in God.
PRAYER: Lord, I pray for Your guidance as I face temptation. Help me to focus on You and Your righteousness, shunning the allure of sin.
BIBLE READING:
Psalms 14-16, Titus 2
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
