Kids Bible Devotional for May 2, 2024
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Focus Verse
James 1:12 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. (KJV)
Jump Start
“'Tale as old as time.' You remember that song from Disney’s animated film, Beauty and the Beast? The song is about love. But there is another tale just as old. Temptation.”
How old is temptation? You can’t get very far into the Creation story in Genesis before we read about how the serpent tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. This act caused them to be forever banished from Eden and from the Tree of Life.
What is temptation? Dictionary.com defines temptation as the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. We have all experienced temptation at some point in our lives. Temptation usually comes with its own set of foul friends such as cheating, lying, or accusing another person falsely. After giving into temptation, it’s not usual to want to cover up our actions or justify them.
The Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome temptation. James 4:7 says resist the devil and he will flee from you. But we read in that same verse that before we can resist the devil we must submit to God. By this James means we give our weaknesses to God so He can help overcome our own wills.
Today's Devotion
Dylan arrived home from school. The smell of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air. “Mmm. Cookies,” he said to himself. He sloughed his backpack from his shoulder and raced toward the kitchen.
He pulled up when he saw his mother next to a plate of cookies. “Don’t even think about eating any of these, Dylan,” she warned. “These are for the church bake sale tomorrow.”
“Oh, Mom, can’t I just have one? I’m starving.”
“Not these. I’ll bake another batch later.” She tossed her hand towel onto the kitchen counter. “Right now, I need to get dressed so I can get these over to the church right away. Sister Williams needs them to begin wrapping and tagging them for the bake sale.”
Dylan couldn’t hear much of what his mother said. He was too busy gawking at the warm chocolate chip confections cooling on the plate. He could just imagine their warm gooeyness melting in his mouth. Just the thought of them made his mouth water.
“There are apples in the fridge if you want to snack,” his mother said as she left the kitchen.
“Sure thing.” He tip-toed closer to the plate cookies and drew in a long pull of air, taking in the sweet aroma.
“I’ll just take a small one,” he reasoned to himself. “She won’t miss one tiny cookie.”
He savored the first delectable bite. This had to be the best batch of cookies his mother had ever made.
After he scarfed down the cookie, Dylan heard the shuffle of feet behind him. He raced to the refrigerator and pulled out an apple just as his mother came back into the kitchen. “
Dylan tossed the apple lightly in the air. “Mmm. Apple,” he announced.
His mother stared a long time at his face. “What’s that all over your mouth?”
Dylan wiped the corner of his mouth. His hand came back soiled with chocolate. He knew he was in trouble then.
Wrap Up
We can become easily tempted to do wrong when we let our desires get the best of us. We may think no one is watching. But God sees. Not to worry. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
God has given us a way to escape – His Holy Spirit. What tempts you the most? No matter what it is, it’s not too big for God who gives you the strength to overcome.
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