Temptation Got the Best of You? (Summer Rerun)

It was just after Jesus was baptized that He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness area of Galilee.  

He fasted forty days and forty nights. Matthew's text tells us Jesus was hungry.  The Son of God had a natural human reaction to His human frailty - hunger pangs. Then the devil came to Him with a temptation: "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."  Jesus quoted scripture from the Torah (Deuteronomy 8:3) to rebuke him.  The Word Himself spoke the words that pierced hell and caused demons to flee.

Two more times the devil brought temptations to Jesus, each one more tempting than the first. This form of testing appealed to Jesus' sovereignty, authority and diety. If only the Son of God would use His influence and power to benefit Himself.  Satan did his best to thwart the plans His Father had ordained for His Son - but to no avail.  The devil departed in humility and defeat.

We have the example of our Lord when we are tempted and at the mercy of the devil. 

When we are in the wilderness of unforgiveness or the desert of rejection - we can use the same weapon to defeat the tempter. God's Word is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6), and we must wield it in confidence! We all face temptation, and it generally comes when we are tired, hungry or angry. 



We love to bash Eve for succumbing to temptation – but don’t we all struggle with it?

Satan does not tempt us in generalities.  He is far too clever for that.  He likes to pick out something specific to hone in on.  Take discontentment, for example.  He will tell you that you deserve so much more, or maybe something better. He often zooms in on that one particular thing you don’t have.  He just aimed his poison dart at your “pride” and you fell for it.  What happened to that shield of faith you were supposed to hold up for protection?

The enemy of our soul delights in focusing his deception on our desires or needs that haven’t been met.  He picks the time and place of our temptation and sends us an engraved invitation, hoping we’ll reply quickly.  He knows when we’re tired, hungry, upset, depressed, lonely or sick that we’ll be more venerable to his deceit.  He patiently waits for us to let down our guard.  God’s Word tells us to “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Satan loves to create doubt regarding God’s love for us.   

He did the same with Eve and this is what he told her: “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every three of the garden’?”  He simply twisted the truth and got her to question God’s goodness and character.  We must be careful not to fall for the same trick.  

 God may have given you a personal promise or verse to cling to regarding your mate.  You may be waiting for God to do something special in your family, job situation, or with your children.  Don’t let the father of lies trick you into believing his falsehoods.  He wants to destroy your trust in God and your confidence in Who He is.

We know from I John 2:16, “that all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father, but is of the world.”  Satan is the ruler of this age and our physical world. He has been influencing the practice of sin since the beginning - starting with Eve.  We must watch for signs of envy and jealousy as we evaluate our circumstances.  We must focus on God’s sovereignty and His wisdom.  We cannot lean unto our own understanding in matters pertaining to “the fairness of life”.  We must believe God and His Word, and leave the results in His hands.  

God's Word is full of examples of those who have been tempted

- Sampson was tempted into a dangerous relationship with Delilah that compromised his God given strength and destiny.
 - King Saul was tempted into disobeying the Lord regarding His specific commandments during wartime.
- King David was tempted to commit adultery, murder and deception with regards to Uriah and his wife Bathsheba.
- Judas was tempted by the chief priest and elders to "sell out" the Lord Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
- Ananias and Sapphira were tempted to lie to Peter about their "love gift" to the church.
- Peter was tempted to betray Jesus after His arrest and prompt transport to the high priest's house. 

In Genesis 39 Joseph was tempted...

But he knew enough to "flee temptation".  Though Potiphar's wife continually propositioned him, Joseph cried out in protest "...how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" 

In the New Testament Paul tells us, "There is no temptation that has overtaken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it." (I Corinthians 10:13)

Temptation is around every turn, and in every decision.   

You can be tempted to take matters into your own hands - at your own peril of course!  We must surrender our desires and plans to be denied, changed, or granted as God sees fit.  Weariness can often cause us to want to "play God" in situations that are moving too slow or not down a path we deem appropriate to solve our problem.  That is where we must rely on God's wise counsel and Divine plan. If through a broken heart He can bring His purposes to fruition, then thank Him for breaking your heart. 

You may come to a point in your marriage when you were sure you heard from God about something, and then you didn’t see any evidence of God working it out.   

I was tempted to contemplate divorce not long after my conversion to Christ, but God plainly spoke to my spirit that it was not an option for me.  God promised me a new husband with the “same man”!   I Corinthians 7:14, 16 says, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy… For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?  Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?” 

  

You must stay strong and focused on Jesus.  Use His Word to diffuse all temptation - As Jesus said, “It is written…”  So be it!  Amen!

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

http://www.Godmissionpossible.com

 

Temptation Got the Best of You? (Summer Rerun)