God does not bring the fear that erodes our minds, entraps us. That is Satan's dominion. With God there is trust.
Why would you even consider trusting Satan -- He is not about bringing joy to your life or to those around you. His plan for you is destruction. His ideal is to play upon your desires, make promises he will not keep, anything to gain control of you so you will do his bidding. His bidding is all that is evil -- "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19)
Satan pretends he is looking out for your welfare, but he is not. He looks out only for himself. His goal is to conquer you, take total control of your soul, steer you along an ever widening road that leads every which way yet nowhere.
Our temptations are not a result of God's desire for us, but rather our own desires getting the best of us. Take for example my singular desire for chocolate, be it peanut or plain M & Ms, Reese's peanut butter, Snicker bars, Hershey bars and kisses or even the dark chocolate I'll succumb to on occasion -- it becomes an overwhelming obsession. I must have a quarter or two or more to get candy from the vending machine at work. I need it.
God says 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."
Well, this temptation is certainly common. But if God thinks I won't be tempted beyond what I'm able His thinking is far superior to mine. I have yet to overcome the temptation, especially at work, especially under stress. And, if there is a way of escape, that too eludes me. Everywhere there is something to put in my mouth.
Somehow, I must come to a realization that my desire to please God is above and beyond my desire to please myself.
There are other temptations we are faced with daily that involve our speech, our actions.
God tells us to "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (James 1:19)
Satan says to speak our mind.
We are to be careful what we say, careful in how we say what we say. We are to "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1: 21-22)
God's commandments are just as relevant today as in Old Testament days.
The Do Not's are nothing to be trifled with. They include
Do Not bow down to other gods
Do Not murder
Do Not commit adultery
Do Not lie
Do Not be impatient
Do Not grumble against another person
Do Not lust after another person or possession
Do Not show partiality
Do Not consider yourself better than aother
Do Not boast
Do Not be envious
Do Not speak evil of another
Do Not judge falsely
"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin." (James 2: 8-9)
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3: 6)
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there." (James 3: 13-16)
"... Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4: 4, 7-8, 10)
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