Victory in Your HeartShembull

Victory In Your Heart – Do NOT Be Like Saul

“This made Saul very angry. ‘What’s this?’ he said. ‘They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!’ So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”

- 1 Samuel 18:8-9 NLT emphasis added

If we are honest with ourselves, from time to time the temptation pops up to be jealous of other people. What we must remember is that there is no power in the temptation; the power is in our response to the temptation. Our response is a decision that makes all the difference.

David chose to honor God when he was tempted and encouraged to kill Saul, but Saul chose to be jealous. When Saul decided to “keep a jealous eye on David” he also decided to allow the temptation of jealousy into his heart.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

- 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT emphasis added

This verse has been misquoted more times than I care to say. God does NOT tempt us. Temptations come from our flesh and the enemy. God does protect us from some temptations, but others He wants us to handle through the power of the Holy Ghost and His grace.

When we are tempted, we know that we can overcome it. We will have a way out. We don’t have to give in to the temptation just because we are tempted.

Having victory in our hearts begins with not allowing the temptations to linger. Saul could have stepped back and been thankful for what David did. He could have asked Samuel for wisdom. He could have asked God for help, but Saul CHOSE to be jealous.

Whatever we let hang around our minds will eventually make its way into our hearts.

Confession Today

“I choose to have victory in my heart today. When I am tempted with jealousy, I will deal with it as soon as I can. For every temptation I face, God has provided a way out. I will pray and ask God for wisdom. I will ask for help from the mentors in my life. I will do whatever I need to do to guard my heart!”