Inspired by Temptation by GI

It took me a while to write this. I didn't know exactly where to start, where to end, what to cover, or anything because temptation is such a big issue. Whether you know it or not, EVERYONE goes through some type of temptation. Jesus was even tempted by satan himself (Matthew 4).

In this song Temptation by GI (God's Image), you will see three different temptations that many people face on a daily basis. Although rappers talk about sex, drugs and alcohol all the time, GI talked about those same issues and turned it into a positive message. I know, I know, you're probably thinking...well how could you be positive about sex, drugs, and alcohol? Well just look at it yourself:

I'm pretty sure a number of people heard the first part of the first verse and automatically went into judge mode. You know what that is, when you start to criticize a song before you actually get to hear what the song is all about. Anyway, this song, as you heard, is about RESISTING temptation.

In this first verse, you can see that the first temptation was sex. I know many people are tempted with sex on a daily basis and it's sometimes hard to resist. But if you resist enough, it will be come second nature to resist that temptation. The Bible says "resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Eventually satan will see that you're strong enough to resist and will stop. I'm not saying he will stop for good, he'll just find another way to try and trip you up.

This is why prayer is so important. If you don't stay prayed up, you will easily fall.

The second verse was about drug dealing. I know a lot of people do it to keep food on the table or pay the bills and with that situation I would say the motives are right but the actions aren't. There are many ways to make money but there are people out there who target young people and tell them that it's an easy way to make quick money. They know what to say and some young people get caught up and some are able to resist the temptation.

The third verse is more personal to me than any other verse because I have seen, first hand, people try to drink their problems away. I want to let everyone know that drinking will not solve anything, it can only make matters worse. If you lose someone, drinking won't bring them back. If you lose you job, drinking won't get it back.

I can't seem to stress enough how important prayer is in our lives. (I may do another blog just on prayer, it's THAT important)

I took me a whole 3 months and some change, but I found the missing link to this blog. I was lost and felt I was missing something here. I know what it is. There is a passage in the Bible about temptation. It's found in the book of James Chapter 1 Verses 2-6 and 12-15. This is what it says:

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ya may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. -KJV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who live him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. -NIV

That scripture passage is so crucial right now. I hear a lot of new Christians asking God why is He tempting them, and questioning what is going on, why they are going through. There is your answer, a lot of it is a test of your faith. If God didn't allow you to be tempted by satan then you wouldn't grow to trust Him completely. I don't know if you caught it or not, but there is a reward for enduring through your temptations.

Last thing, I noticed that temptation has two sides to it, good and bad. It's good because it allows you to grow stronger in God, but it's bad because it can cause the eternal death of you. What do you choose??? To resist or to give in???

Love you all!!!

Sista T