Thinking determines life. It is a common habit to blame life upon the environment. Environment modifies life but does not govern life. The soul is stronger than its surroundings. (William James)
Everyone has a desire or weakness that can be exploited by criminal influence. The exploitation process leading to temptation begins with a thought that is attractive to our taste for wrongdoing. “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you” (James Allen). So beware because there are unseen spiritual forces in the spirit world that have the ability to influence your thoughts. We are not responsible for every thought we think, but we are responsible for what we do with everything we think. You must properly manage the negative things that seep into your mind. You have not sinned or done wrong because you thought a bad thought. Sin happens when we put action to thought. That which is not put into action dies.
“Each one is tempted when he or she is drawn away by their own desires and enticed” (James). We’re tempted through desire. The word, entice, means to attract by offering a hope of reward or pleasure—to allure. A fisherman uses various types of bait to seduce fish. A lure or bait, whether a juicy fat worm or succulent bug promises to satisfy an appetite, a longing within the fish seeking to be satisfied. The natural desire of a fish draws it to the bait, causing it to swallow the hook. Fishermen will pay almost any price; weather all sorts of adversity and travel great distances to experience the thrill of catching the big one. Satan the devil is an avid fisherman whose sport is ruining lives. He knows how to use our inclination towards self gratification to attract us into sin. Don’t take his bait.
“Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James). Beware of both good and bad things can become a distraction in your spiritual life. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Paul). “You must make a conscientious effort in keeping your mind focused because thought is the parent of deed” (Thomas Carlyle).
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