Tag: Honor him

29.p. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

 

Colossians 3:15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Psalms 29:11  May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Isaiah 27:5 Or let them lay hold of my protection, let them make peace with me, let them make peace with me.”

Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Peace of mind and general peace with others makes life joyful, hopeful, thankful, and limits fear, anger, confusion, and unkindness.  Peace of mind is offered in many different forms and by many different people. They offer their solution to “Finding Peace”.  If you have enough money, lose enough weight, buy the right car, have the right clothes, wear the right make-up, live in the right location, work for the right company, take the right vacation, fly the right airline, use the right insurance company, read the right books, go to the right school, hire the right doctor, use the right financial advisor, do the right meditation, take the right medicine, do the right level of exercise, etc………….. If you just listen to them you will find peace of mind and be at peace with others.  Vanity, vanity, all is vanity. Have you ever found lasting peace, deep in your soul, following the advice of these “Peace offering attempts”? Chasing after peace, in all of these attempts at finding it, will leave a person wanting, lost, and always searching more for it.  Tell me if watching or reading news media gives you peace. Do they ever present a story that gives you peace?  They promote worry, fear, anger, confusion, division, and give little in the way of “Peace of Mind”.  And yet, we turn it on or read it every day.  At the same time, we neglect the Word of God, which brings peace of mind, thankfulness, and hope. This world will offer a peace that will never satisfy and will leave us defeated.  You don’t have to listen to very many people to discern the level of peace in their lives. They certainly don’t speak of joy, hope, or thankfulness.  They seem consumed with just the opposite and don’t even know why.  True peace is in the hands of God through Jesus Christ. It is a peace that passes all understanding. It is a peace that overcomes all adversity.  It is a peace that floods the hearts, minds, and souls, of those who trust in, rely upon, cling to, follow, and obey Jesus Christ.  Their peace is found in Him alone and all other offers of peace are cast aside.  In Him alone we find a peace that is more than hope for tomorrow, it is a never-failing assurance of peace for eternity. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

10.o. “I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.”

Jonah 2:1  Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

Psalms 50:15    and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Psalms 91:15    When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

Isaiah 26:16     O LORD, in distress they sought you; they poured out a whispered prayer when your discipline was upon them.

James 5:13    Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.

Hosea 6:1-3    “Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.  After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.  Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

Hosea 5:15     I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.

Idle ineffectiveness for eternal things has a way of gaining our attention on our own comfort, enjoyment, self-worth, self-reliance, and self-satisfaction.  Troubles, trials, and distress in our lives, on the other hand, have a way of resetting out wayward inner self-reliant beliefs.  Well, that is true for some.  Others harden their hearts and will not even give God a second glance for help.  For those who are humbled and realize their only hope in the situation is from the Mighty Hand Of God, and when they call out to Him, their prayer will be answered and they will be rescued and delivered.  Why is it so hard t repent and turn back to God?  Why do we choose to neglect His word and applying it in our lives?  Are we not blessed and find joy, hope, rest, peace, and strength when we are always desiring and seeking to be nearer to Him?  And yet, we seem to find time after time neglect and complacency creep in.  I can tell you this with 100% assurance when God’s Word is not hungered and thirsted for our natural default is neglect, complacency, and worldly contentment.  Spend time in His Word and intentionally choose to grow closer and closer to Him.

32. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come;

Numbers 23:19   God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Habakkuk 2:3     For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Malachi 3:6     For I the LORD do not change

Luke 21:33     Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Titus 1:2    in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Hebrews 6:18    so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

James 1:17     Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

God does not lie, He does not change, and what He promises will take place.  Think about what He has promised: Savior Jesus Christ, Steadfast love, Purpose, Justice, Power, Refuge, Courage, Hope, Love, Peace, Joy, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Forgiveness, Salvation, Rebirth – Born Again, Eternal Life, Resurrection, Heaven

He has also promised: Judgement, anger, wrath, Hell, torment, agony, separation, foolishness, disaster, chaos, turmoil, unrest, justice, eternal damnation

What separates these two paths of all of mankind?  Choice!!!  Choice in what we believe.  Choice in who we believe.  Nothing is more clear than what is stated:

John 3:16-21  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Romans 1:18-21  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Revelation 20:11-15  Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence, earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

I will rescue Him or My heart would not turn toward this people

Exodus 15:25  And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them,

Exodus 14:10     When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.

Exodus 17:4     So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

Psalms 50:15    and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Psalms 91:15     When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

Psalms 99:6    Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them.

Jeremiah 15:1     Then the LORD said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of my sight, and let them go!

Coming to a point in our life where we cry out to God is a good thing.  The alternative would be that we have no one to call on other than what humans may be able to attempt to help with.  Some of our trials are beyond what family and friends can help us with.  We can face something that eats at our heart, mind, and soul and we come to understand and know that only God can intervene.  Crying out to God is our lifeline and hope. 

When we are in times like this in our life can you imagine what it would be like to not have God to turn to?  What must it be like to have hope and trust only in what the world can offer?  How isolated and lonely it must be. He is ever present and the only thing that keeps us apart is our hardened heart, deaf ears, blind eyes, stiff neck, self-centeredness, pride, and love of this world.

Praise God that He has promised to be our rock, refuge, strength, shield, and hope.  He has promised to be ever present with steadfast love and arms open wide.  In Him alone will we find that which only He can supply.  Stay close to Him, seek Him, desire Him, and intentionally commit to humbly serve, honor, glorify, worship, praise, follow and obey Him.  

Your Dwelling Place

Psalms 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill abide in the shadow of the Almighty.I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.”For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowlerand from the deadly pestilence.He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

It is always good to be  reminded of peace and rest found in God.  This Psalm encourages me to stay on course and cling to, rely on and trust in God.  Spurgeon has great thoughts on this Psalm.

“Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercy-seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence.”

We must walk very close to a companion, if we would have his shadow fall on us.

Men proclaim their doubts, and even to boast of them, who glory in casting suspicion upon everything;  it becomes the duty of all true believers to speak out and testify with calm courage to their own well-grounded reliance upon their God.”

“We are foolish and weak as poor little birds, and are very apt to be lured to our destruction by cunning foes, but if we dwell near to God, he will see to it that the most skilfull deceiver shall not entrap us.”

“It is impossible that any ill should happen to the man who is beloved of the Lord; the most crushing calamities can only shorten his journey and hasten him to his reward. Ill to him is no ill, but only good in a mysterious form. Losses enrich him, sickness is his medicine, reproach is his honour, death is his gain. No evil in the strict sense of the word can happen to him, for everything is overruled for good.”

“How angels thus keep us we cannot tell. Whether they repel demons, counteract spiritual plots, or even ward off the subtler physical forces of disease, we do not know. Perhaps we shall one day stand amazed at the multiplied services which the unseen bands have rendered to us.”

“They are blessings that some believers miss out on, simply because they are always fretting and do not trust God as they should. Here the psalmist quotes God as saying that the blessings are for those who love God and acknowledge his name (v. 14), call upon him (v. 15), and seek satisfaction in what he alone can provide.” (Boice)

Followed me fully

“ See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”

Psalms 99:8  O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings

Psalms 89:33    but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 9:19     For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the LORD bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me that time also.

Jeremiah 46:28     Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.”

Zephaniah 3:7     I said, ‘Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.’ But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.

Exodus 32:34-35     But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.”

Numbers 14:20-34    Then the LORD said, “I have pardoned, according to your word.  But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD,  none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice,  shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it.  But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

Romans 1:21     For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.”, ” I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished”, “all that I have appointed against you.”, ” none of those who despised me shall see it.”  What comes to mind when you read these?  When I read these from scriptures above I see a people who chose to either follow fully or those who chose to be complacent or those who willfully chose to disobey.  None were above being disciplined by God.  None seeking forgiveness from God were left wanting.  None disregarding God were pardoned.  Sin has always been in  our heart.  Sin has a way of taking over if we are not actively at battle with it.  If I think there is no God, or that there is a God and He is not going to hold me accountable – sin has darkened my heart to scripture truth.  If I think I can live on the fence  living for self sometimes and neglect obedience to God  – sin has darkened my heart.  If I think I can keep ledger of my good and bad, and this will in anyway have influence on God – sin has darkened my heart.  If I trust in, cling to, rely on the promises of God through Jesus Christ – the light of the gospel has exposed my heart, mind and soul to the grace, mercy, and love of God.  “and though your sin be as scarlet it will be washed white as snow”

Lost without hope and understanding

“For this is a people without discernment; therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them; he who formed them will show them no favor.”

“They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood!”

“If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end!”

Psalms 94:8  Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?  He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?  He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—  the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Jeremiah 8:6-8    I have paid attention and listened, but they have not spoken rightly; no man relents of his evil, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turns to his own course, like a horse plunging headlong into battle.  Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the LORD.  “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.

Proverbs 12:1    Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Psalms 49:10    For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.  Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names  Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.  This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah

Proverbs 1:22    “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 8:5    O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

Romans 1:21-22    For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

Titus 3:3    For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

The end is clear for those who choose to walk their own path in this world.  We hear it said “they did it their way” or “he is self made” and give head nod to their accomplishment.  This is the way of the world- proud, boasting, always seeking and wanting more, taking paths in life that seem right but do not include God, seeking approval of man rather than God, believing lies to condone their actions, greedy. Scripture says these people are foolish and stupid.  Scripture also says  For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.  We were no different but somehow through God’s grace, mercy, and opening our heart and mind to the truth through Jesus Christ we were made new.  We were forgiven.  We were changed.  No longer having the passions and seeking pleasures of this world we found purpose, safety, hope, love, joy, peace, and comfort through Jesus Christ. We were lost but now we are found in Him.  Never forget the path from which you were saved.  That path of destruction and eternal hell.  Never forget that we too were once foolish and disobedient.  Keep speaking Christ into the lives of both the lost and saved.  God’s word does not return void – it will accomplish what He has planned.  What does it matter if a person rejects the message of Christ 100 times.  Might they not receive Him on 101?

My shelter

Psalms 91:1  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,  nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.  Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge—  no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.  “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

 

Thoughts by Charles H. Spurgeon:

The blessings here promised are not for all believers, but for those who live in close fellowship with God. Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercyseat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence. Those who through rich grace obtain unusual and continuous communion with God, so as to abide in Christ and Christ in them, become possessors of rare and special benefits, which are missed by those who follow afar off, and grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Into the secret place those only come who know the love of God in Christ Jesus, and those only dwell there to whom to live is Christ. To them the veil is rent, the mercyseat is revealed, the covering cherubs are manifest, and the awful glory of the Most High is apparent.  Those who are the Lord’s constant guests shall find that he will never suffer any to be injured within his gates. The Omnipotent Lord will shield all those who dwell with him, they shall remain under his care as guests under the protection of their host.  his protection is constant–they abide under it, and it is all sufficient, for it is the shadow of the Almighty, whose omnipotence will surely screen them from all attack. No shelter can be imagined at all comparable to the protection of Jehovah’s own shadow. The Almighty himself is where his shadow is, and hence those who dwell in his secret place are shielded by himself. What a shade in the day of noxious heat! What a refuge in the hour of deadly storm! Communion with God is safety. The more closely we cling to our Almighty Father the more confident may we be.

Trials and Trouble

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Psalms 81:7  In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah

Psalms 50:15     and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Psalms 91:14     “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  

Exodus 2:23    During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God.

Exodus 14:10    When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.  

Exodus 14:30     Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.  Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Exodus 20:18    Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off  and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”  Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”  The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

James 1:12     Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Troubles and trials come to all man.  None of us are immune to this.  We like to think it is not going to come into our life but it does.  So, when it comes how do we do? How do we respond?  Do we have a place of refuge, hope, and comfort to where we can run and find peace and KNOW without a doubt we are protected?  I am sure if we knew the hour at which it was to come we would prepare for it.  Yet the moment is unknown and never is.  The response can very.  Some may shrink back in despair.  Others may get mad, try to handle it on their own, or blame others, become vindictive, and retaliate.  We have seen many of these responses and some of them we have even had ourselves. I think the response is closely related to how close we are to God.  If we are living complacent to humbly serving Him, and if we are neglecting reading His word, and if our desire is more self centered than honoring, following and obeying Him there is a good chance we will find very little peace, hope, and refuge.  Yet if we purpose and desire to stay close to Him, humbly bow to His sovereign hand, acknowledge He is in control and will protect, comfort and lead us through the valley of the shadow of death our response will have a totally different beginning and journey through it.  Stay in His word.  Study it.  stay close to Him in prayer.  Commit each day to Him.  Ask Him to guide your path in a way that honors Him.  Ask Him to open your ears to hear His whispers.  Seek to follow and obey Him.  Trials and troubles will surely be part of our live this side of eternity.  Let them find you in His ever loving arms of comfort, refuge, peace, hope, strength, and love.

 

Placed into their heart

John 13:2  During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

Acts 5:3     But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?

Ephesians 2:3     among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Luke 22:31     “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat

James 1:13    Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.  But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Ezra 7:27    Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem,

Nehemiah 2:12     Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 8:16     But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus

Revelation 17:17    for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Romans 1:19  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  Note the examples above. Satan temps and places intents in the heart of man.  Yet it also says that man lured away and enticed by his own desires.  Man acts on these temptations, desires, enticements and gives way to them in their life.  What is our hope against such things happening.  The word of God.  His word will bring light to the darkness associated with sin.  It will give knowledge and wisdom to understand things of this world that are contrary to God and as well things of God that are good for the heart, mind, and soul.  Our own sinful nature and it’s desires can not be left on their own for our nature is contrary to God and His ways.  Our help comes from God and through His word of hope, guidance, love, mercy, courage, promises, light, redemption, refuge, peace….  Staying in God’s word is the beginning of the battle for our soul.