Endure Temptation.

“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”.

When we endure temptation, what are we actually doing?  

We are resisting the devil, who is attempting to deceive us and mislead us into doing what he wants, rather than what God desires.  We are also proving ourselves that we are walking worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called.

‘Proving’ or ‘proved’ comes from the Greek word, ‘dokimos’, meaning, "stood the test; tested to be trustworthy; of sterling worth, like metal which is cleansed of all alloy."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being tempted, Jesus Himself was tempted of the devil.  However, it is only when we resist the temptation and do not comply with the devils desires that we have ‘stood the test; tested to be trustworthy’.

There is no sin in the temptation; it only becomes sin when we yield to that temptation.

However, if we do not succumb to the devils whims, when we are tried, and endure the temptation, we shall receive the crown of life.  Glory be to His name.

The word "Crown" is translated from ‘stephanos’, which derives from ‘stepho’, meaning "to encircle, to twine or wreathe.  ‘Stephanos’ describes the victor's crown, the symbol of triumph in the public games or a contest. It can also be the reward given to honour a person. Though the word can also signify a crown of royalty.

In this verse the apostle is stating that the man, who overcomes trials and temptations, is a man who has achieved victory over the enemy, and has come through, strong and pure, spiritually.  And he shall receive a ‘royal’ crown; after all we are ‘kings and priests’.  (Revelation 1:6)

In Revelation 21:7, it says,
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

Therefore, we need to be ‘over comers’, we need to overcome the devil and his ally’s, the world and its ways, and our old carnal nature, “for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”.  (Romans 8:6)

Every Blessing.

Bill.