The LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds. Psalm 69:33.

Satan is very clever. When sin is packaged so beautifully and it is constantly presented as something desirable, it is hard to resist. Sometimes the most ghastly possibilities become a reality in the life of a person of whom we would least expect it to happen. Somehow these possibilities have been programmed into these people's lives by all the things that come at them from books, magazines, movies and from the examples of others. Then part of the will that says No is overcome by the part of the will that says Yes. And then the fall occurs.

C.S.Lewis put it this way in his Screwtape Letters: 'The greatest evil is not done in those sordid 'dens of crime' that Dickens loved to paint. It is conceived and moved, seconded, carried, and minuted in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices.'

To win the fight against sin you have to want to to win, 100 per cent. And you won't win unless you depend upon God.

It's a battle, Lord, and I am trapped by sniper fire. Things I don't want to do I find myself doing; things I should do I don't do. My thoughts, motives, speech, and actions do not measure up to my ideal for myself or your will for me. Help! Amen.

THE LORD WILL FIGHT F0R YOU.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things... and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8,9.

A man was converted to Christ from a life of sexual indulgence. One of the first signs of the reality of his conversion was that he burned the books and magazines which had prompted him to sin.

If we ruthlessly starve the old nature of those things on which it feeds we shall rob it of its power and prepare the way for victory.

We must also lay aside everything which hinders us from making progress in the Christian life. It may not be wrong in itself; it may not be harmful to other people; but if it robs you of spiritual life and joy, don't do it!

It's a battle, but thank you Lord that I am not alone. Nothing is happening to me that is not common to others as well. There's a way out. You are living in my life, in the person of my Holy Spirit. You'll fight my battles. The enemy is too strong for me, but not for you, Lord. Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Thank you. Amen.

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS.

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1,2.

As we conclude this short series on temptation let us think about the words of John Wesley's mother:

When I was young, the song that moved me and many of my friends towards holiness was this one:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face:
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.
H H Lemmel

Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority, before all time and now and forever. (Jude 24,25). Amen......