Daily Devotional

July 5th 2026

Back to Devotionals notes

SUNDAY

Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood and becomes a real killer.—James 1:13-15 (MSG)

James teaches us a liberating truth: temptation begins in the human heart, not in the schemes of the devil. This is not a word of condemnation but of empowerment. Liberation begins when we tell the truth about ourselves.
James is clear: “The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us.” Oppression may come from the outside, but sin grows from the inside. Liberation theology reminds us that God is always on the side of the oppressed—and sometimes the oppressor we must confront is the one within our own hearts. Our flesh resists God’s reign, sabotages our joy, and undermines our purpose. Naming this enemy is the first step toward freedom.
Isaiah writes that “we all, like sheep, have gone astray,” seduced by our own desires. Even our best efforts, apart from God, are “filthy rags.” This is not meant to destroy our dignity but to dismantle our illusions. World systems suggest self reliance, self exaltation, and self salvation. But the Gospel highlights dependence on God, humility before God, and transformation through God. Liberation begins when we confess our poverty and cling to divine sufficiency.
And here is the liberation: no activity of the flesh can undo the saving activity of Jesus Christ. The blood that redeemed us is the blood that keeps us. The same grace that breaks the chains of every oppressive system also breaks the chains of the flesh. Nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
This truth empowers victory. Victory begins with humility—acknowledging what we are without God. Victory continues with confidence—embracing who we are with God. Victory is sustained by the Cross—where flesh is crucified, Satan is defeated, and the believer is made free.

PRAYER: Lord, free us from the lies we tell ourselves and from the desires that entangle us. Deliver us from the oppression within and the oppression around us. Crucify our flesh, strengthen our spirit, and anchor us in the power of Christ’s blood. Let Your liberating grace break every chain and lead us into the fullness of life You promise. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN!

(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com)

MORNINGS WITH SHILOH WEEKLY PRAYER LINK

Mornings with Shiloh airs on WVLA Channel 33 each weekday at 6:58 a. m. CST. Mornings with Shiloh is available on our Youtube channel at 8:00 a.m. CST.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL:

https://www.youtube.com/@ShilohMBCBR/videos

Want to get more involved at Shiloh?

Browse our Ministries