Do do you know what it means to endure temptation? It is the same thing like enduring suffering or problem. When you are in financial needs, as student, as looking for job, as starting up a business, in mission field; you are enduring difficult time for a period of time till things change for better. You don't drop from school, you don't kill yourself or run away from what you are building. The same thing is applicable with enduring temptation. The Bible says, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" James 1:12.

There is a period of time you must endure some temptations, that the temptations will last. The Bible says Jesus Christ was tempted for 40 days, nothing could stop the temptation until its period of 40 days expired. The same is applicable to all children of God in the journey to heaven. Temptations within or without, may not stop until its time expires.

It may be temptation within, sinful suggestions in form of thoughts, lustful suggestion, imaginations to commit sin, internal pressure of sin; it maybe sinful thoughts that repeatedly coming to your mind and the more you pray and resist it, the more it persists. What really matters is not to delete the thoughts, but you keep resisting and you DON'T YIELD. It will die a natural death when its time expires as long you don't give in.

Persisted sinful thoughts, notions and imaginations are temptations within, it is not because you are not saved, but because Satan is after your salvation. You don't need to trouble yourself why such thoughts persist, you only need to keep resisting them in prayer by casting them down from your mind. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5. You can read from verse 3.

It may also be external temptations, from people or situations around, to yield to sinful demands or indulgences. There are some situations where you may need to run away or walk away from the situation causing the temptation. But some times, just need to endure the temptation. That is where enduring temptations comes in. The Bible says, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation"

To endure temptations, either internally or externally, is to be constantly faced with such imaginations, suggestions, pressures, urge, demands or even threats to yield or commit sin but without yielding or giving in for it.

Now, here is the truth, this pressure or temptation for the particular sin maybe coming every day, it may be apportioned for few months, and no matter how much you pray, the thought or pressure may not stop. What you need to be praying for daily is grace and the Blood of Jesus to purify your heart, and as long you don’t give in, it will soon fade away and you overcome. That is the truth about temptation or even addicted sins.

After enduring the temptation, the Bible now says, "..for when he has been approved" It means when we repeatedly refuse, reject the temptation to the end, then we will receive the blessing of the blessedness of enduring temptations.

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" James 1:12.

We receive the grace and strength to endure temptations to the end in Jesus name. Amen

RTEM: rtemoutreach.org