Category Archives: Temptation

The Mixed Multitude

Posted on August 18, 2017 by russellmckinney

Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds — a great deal of livestock. (Exodus 12:38, N.K.J.V.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Complaining, Contentment, Counsel, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Discipleship, Friendship, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Provision, Greed, Influence, Lust, Prayer Requests, Rebellion, Separation, Service, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Anger Management Plan

Posted on June 12, 2017 by russellmckinney

One day a wife asked her husband, “Why don’t you play golf with George anymore?” The husband answered, “Would you play golf with a man who moves the ball and puts down the wrong score while you’re not looking?” The … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Depravity, Doubt, Greed, Heaven, Impatience, Jealousy, Lust, Personal, Personal Holiness, Pride, Salvation, Sin, Sports, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Man Who Had to Lose His Eyes to See

Posted on March 28, 2017 by russellmckinney

It’s a shame that many people won’t become spiritually broken unless some type of tragedy happens to them. Samson is a classic case in point. He was Israel’s strongman, the champion of the tribe of Dan and the slayer of … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Brokenness, Character, Choices, Confession, Depravity, Desires, Disobedience, God's Chastening, God's Work, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Separation, Sex, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Submission, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Nobody killed me. I had a wreck.”

Posted on March 22, 2017 by russellmckinney

Twenty-five-year-old Jamie Peavy had a job working at a barbecue restaurant. One day, after work, she got in her pickup and drove to meet a friend. She tried a new route that day, thinking it would be a shortcut. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Confession, Conviction, Drugs, Extending Forgiveness, Gambling, God's Love, Greed, Guilt, Lying, Pride, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Submission, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God “Goes Abraham” on You

Posted on March 8, 2017 by russellmckinney

I hope we can all agree that it’s never a good thing to miss God’s will. The fact is, though, that some trips outside God’s will result in a figurative slap on the wrist, while others result in a figurative … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Disobedience, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, God's Will, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Working Out Your Own Salvation

Posted on December 26, 2016 by russellmckinney

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12, N.K.J.V.) A man bought an acreage of hilly … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Ministry, Personal Holiness, Priorities, Salvation, Service, Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Micah’s “Church” (part 2 of 2)

Posted on December 3, 2016 by russellmckinney

As we pick back up with our story, the young Levite named Jonathan has just been hired to serve as the priest of the “church” that Micah has set up at his home. This “church” is a shrine Micah has … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Disobedience, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Influence, Ministry, Preaching, Temptation, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is God Good All the Time? (post 2 of 3)

Posted on October 7, 2016 by russellmckinney

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” Genesis 1:31 (N.K.J.V.) “Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father…” James 1:17 (N.K.J.V.) In 1st Peter 3:15, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Backsliding, Choices, Demons, Depravity, Disobedience, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, God's Sovereignty, Justice, Problems, Rebellion, Satan, Series: "Is God Good All the Time?", Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Devil, War | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An Important Context

Posted on October 16, 2012 by russellmckinney

We Christians are very familiar with Philippians 4:13, where the apostle Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But how many of us correctly understand the context for this classic verse? Trust me, the context … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Alcohol, Attitude, Comfort, Courage, Depression, Disappointment, Divorce, Drugs, Encouragement, Fear, Gambling, Inner Peace, Joy, Needs, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Salvation, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Simple Test for Standards

Posted on September 17, 2012 by russellmckinney

You’ve probably noticed that Christians have wildly different standards when it comes to matters of personal holiness. Sometimes these differences stem from nothing more than the generation gap. Other times they are created by the varying diversities of local cultures. … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christian Liberty, Conscience, Decisions, Discernment, Doubt, Dress and Appearance, Entertainment, Faith, God's Guidance, God's Will, Guilt, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment