Temptation

We need to realize that temptation does not arise from an external source, but rather it comes from within. James tells us that "each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed". Dealing with temptation therefore is not so much an avoidance of external stimulus but rather a putting to death the internal lusts (the flesh) that drive us to satisfy ourselves in those areas. I was sharing with a group the thought process of temptation and mentioned the acronym of T.I.D.E. wich stands for thoughts, imagination, desire and expression.

This of course is how internal evil desires operate in our mind to move us towards sin. One of the group was sharing this with work colleagues and came up with T.I.D.E. as being temptation, imagination, desire and ...........ecstasy. 

Funny, but a truth as well, temptation does have power. Pauls' remedy to the situation is that " if we live by the Spirit, you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature". Wise advise indeed!