Category Archives: Temptation

The Curious Case of the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, & Manasseh

Posted on May 3, 2021 by russellmckinney

God had given the land of Canaan to Israel (Abraham’s descendants, the Jews). Consequently, some forty years after unbelief and cowardice had initially cost them their first opportunity to make the land their own (Numbers 14:1-38), God again guided them … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, God's Will, Impatience, Patience, Temptation, Waiting | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

What Satellite Chips Have to Do with Holy Conduct

Posted on April 28, 2021 by russellmckinney

…as He who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16, N.K.J.V.). A country doctor had a sign in his office that … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Choices, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Holiness, God's Will, Holiness, Personal, Personal Holiness, Sin, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Beware of the Dead Snake

Posted on April 5, 2021 by russellmckinney

Forty-year-old Jeremy Sutcliffe of Corpus Christi, Texas, made national news a couple of years ago when he almost died from a rattlesnake bite. Even more than being featured on the news, the story also received mention on the channels Animal … Continue reading →

Posted in Demons, Discernment, Personal Holiness, Prophecy, Repentance, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Off Your Rock-O-Plane

Posted on February 8, 2021 by russellmckinney

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!’” (Luke 15:17, N.K.J.V.) Many years ago, back when I was 12 or 13 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Love, Grace, Personal, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Offenses Must Come

Posted on November 23, 2020 by russellmckinney

“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:7, N.K.J.V.) The Greek word translated as “offenses” in this verse is skandalon, and it’s a word that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Depravity, Faithfulness, God's Work, Ministry, Problems, Service, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Devil, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Rattlesnake of Addiction

Posted on September 16, 2020 by russellmckinney

In his book Quest for Character, Chuck Swindoll tells an incredible story from the life of Tom Rathman, the NFL running back who made a name for himself playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Rathman was hunting deer in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling, Gluttony, Restoration, Sex, Tattoos, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Selling Your Soul to the Devil

Posted on September 14, 2020 by russellmckinney

Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38, N.K.J.V.) The story of Robert Johnson is … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Contentment, Covetousness, Desires, Entertainment, Eternity, God's Will, Hell, Idolatry, Money, Priorities, Satan, Sin, Temptation, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Leaders & Preachers’ Kids (post #2 of 2)

Posted on September 5, 2020 by russellmckinney

People tend to think that being called of God to spiritual leadership somehow causes the called to put on a magic cloak that miraculously changes everything about the person. The cloak corrects wrong thinking, fixes longstanding problems, strengthens weaknesses, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Anger, Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Deacons, Depravity, Family, Forgiveness, God's Work, Hypocrisy, Leadership, Lust, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Temptation, The Death Penalty, The Old Testament Law | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Leaders & Preachers’ Kids (post #1 of 2)

Posted on September 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

Maybe you’ve heard about the recent troubles of Jerry Falwell Jr. After a string of scandals, he has now been ousted as the President of Liberty University, the school his father founded. The whole story has given Christianity yet another … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Depravity, God's Work, Husbands, Hypocrisy, Lust, Marriage, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Politics, Preaching, Service, Sex, Sin, Temptation, Wives | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Transforming the Hardcore Sinner & the Addict

Posted on July 11, 2020 by russellmckinney

Hugh Price Hughes, an influential Methodist minister, was once challenged to a debate by Charles Bradlaugh, an atheistic political activist. Bradlaugh wanted Hughes to defend Christianity as being anything other than just a man-made religion based upon a fairy tale. … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Atheism, Change, God's Love, God's Provision, Grace, Inner Peace, Needs, Personal Holiness, Problems, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment