Post by Oluwatosin Oni (@oloriireoni)

OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 30 JULY 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: 1 Thessalonians 5:22
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

This verse is God’s command for proactive holiness.

BIBLE READING: James 1:12-16
This passage reveals the progression of temptation into sin and death. It starts with lust (inner desire), then enticement (external pull), then conception (agreement with the temptation), then sin (the act), and finally death (the consequence).

Temptation Is Universal: Even Jesus Was Tempted
“All human beings will face temptations at different points in their lives. Even the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted in all points while he was on the earth (Hebrews 4:15). If the devil could tempt Jesus, then no one is above temptation. Despite this, however, certain temptations can be avoided.”

Hebrews 4:15 – “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Who Was Tempted What It Means for You
Jesus Himself No one is above temptation
The Son of God The devil will certainly tempt you
Yet He did not sin You can also overcome, by His grace
“Despite this, however, certain temptations can be avoided.”

Not all temptations come to you unsolicited. Some you walk into. Some you create. Some you could have avoided by making different choices. You cannot stop the bird of temptation from flying over your head, but you can stop it from building a nest.

The Progression of Temptation (James 1:13-15)
“James 1:13-15 says, ‘Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.’”

Stage Description What You Can Do
Lust Inner desire, craving, weakness Confront and mortify it
Enticement External pull toward the desire Flee before it catches you
Conception You agree with the temptation in your mind Say “no” immediately
Sin The act of disobedience Repent quickly
Death Spiritual and physical consequences Avoid reaching this stage
“This means that if there is any lust in your life, you must confront and overcome it; otherwise, it can be used to draw you into sin, and sin brings death.”

Lust (Inner Weakness) Must Be
Lust for money Confronted and mortified
Lust for sex Confronted and mortified
Lust for power Confronted and mortified
Lust for approval Confronted and mortified
“To choose life, you must mortify the works of the flesh by the help of the Holy Spirit (Colossians 3:5).”

Colossians 3:5 – “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Mortify Means You Cannot Do It Alone
Put to death, kill, starve You need the Holy Spirit’s help
Refuse to feed the lust Pray for strength to overcome
Cut off the source Walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh
The Bird and the Nest: Don’t Let Temptation Settle
“Beloved, temptation is like a bird; it can fly over your head, and you may be unable to stop it from doing so. However, you can prevent it from building a nest on your head. If you let it build a nest on your head, then it is only a matter of time before your head is filled with its poop.”

The Bird (Temptation) The Nest (Habitual Sin)
Flies over your head—you cannot stop every temptation from coming You can prevent it from building a nest
A passing thought, a fleeting image, an external suggestion Dwelling on it, entertaining it, feeding it
Not sin Sin begins when you let it land and stay
“If you let it build a nest on your head, then it is only a matter of time before your head is filled with its poop.”

Letting Temptation Nest The Result
Entertaining the thought The thought grows stronger
Going back to the temptation The nest gets bigger
Refusing to flee Soon you are covered in the filth of sin
Do not let the bird land. Do not feed it. Do not build it a nest. Shoo it away immediately.

Practical Steps: Avoid People, Places, and Things That Tempt You
“However, even as you’re mortifying your flesh through the help of the Holy Spirit, you must avoid people, places, and things that may tempt you.”

What to Avoid Why
People who lead you into sin Evil communications corrupt good manners
Places where temptation is strong You cannot walk through fire and not be burned
Things that trigger your lust If it causes you to sin, cut it off (Matthew 5:29-30)
“For example, if a man knows that he struggles to be faithful with money, he should not accept responsibilities that would put him in charge of other people’s money until he has successfully mortified the lust for money through the help of the Holy Spirit.”

If You Struggle With… Avoid…
Lust for money Handling cash, managing finances
Lust for sex Being alone with the opposite sex, watching ...
https://rccglive.com/open-heaven-30-july/

0 likes · 0 comments · 0 shares