09/02/2019
Are we like the scribes of old? Do we question Jesus, and His authority, within our hearts? Sometimes we are tempted to doubt His ability, or question our faith in His power, but are there times when we question the authority of Jesus himself, and look to God in fear and trembling asking “Is this truly your Son?” Even in our minds, for just an instant, does Satan’s lie seem plausible?
“Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"”
Mark 2:6-7 ESV
Instilling doubt is the greatest tool of Satan, and he uses it against Christ’s saints who have believed long and deeply, just as readily as he does those who are first struggling with their faith. Thankfully Jesus hears more than the voices from our mouths; He hears just as perfectly the voice of our spirit, and questions us.
“And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts?”
Mark 2:8 ESV
Even Pastors, deacons, and saints, who have answered the call, and who have preached the gospel of Jesus for many years, can suddenly find themselves in a crisis of faith. Satan casts a shroud of doubt over them using various devices... a beloved child who dies in spite of fervent prayer, succumbing to temptation and hiding from God because of a personal failure. A perceived will of God that they can’t seem to complete. There are so many ways that Satan can instill doubt in us by using our own thoughts and desires against us... sometimes its something as simple as taking two scriptures, and in our lack of understanding, convincing us that they both can’t be true... that the Bible isn’t the infallible Word of God.
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV
The wonderful thing we need to realize is that Jesus hears our spirit, and sees our doubt long before it surfaces; He begins to question us when our doubts and temptations are still secrets from the world... but how will we respond to his questioning? Will we recognize His voice, or will we allow the wooing voices of Satan to take hold, and continue to fester and grow in us. Will we hear Jesus clearly, and call out to the Holy Spirit for understanding, and ask Jesus to show us our means of escape?
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Sin, temptation, lies, doubt... these are not new. There are no new sins, no temptations whose seeds are not already within us, no new lies used by the dark one, and doubt continues to remain waiting. Sin is ancient, and it was first revealed to us in the Garden of Eden when Eve was convinced by the lying serpent that God had lied to her...
“but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.”
Genesis 3:3-4 ESV
Thank God that Jesus abides in us, and we in Him. Thank God for allowing His Son to hear our spirits, and to intercede for us. Thank God for providing a way out of every temptation... not by continuing to keep it secret... but by allowing us to endure it.
So how do we face darkness and its devices? Do we already have temptations that we are hiding within us in our secret places? Have our lies already surfaced? Is doubt attempting to hide just beneath the skin of our faith? Well listen... listen for the revealing questions of Jesus, and turn to the Holy Spirit who will help us find an escape, and Jesus who will intercede for us, and strengthen us as we say “Get thee behind me Satan!”
“But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.”
Numbers 32:23 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for looking into my heart, and knowing my innermost thoughts. Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who hears the words of my spirit, and questions my disbelief... even when it is a secret from the world, and I am yet wrestling with it. Lead me Merciful Father to that place of escape, and help me to endure those things I have been tempted to do. I pray that I hear the voice of Jesus, and repent of my wayward thoughts before my sin is realized, but if I step beyond the threshold of temptation into sin, then give me penitence, remorse, forgiveness, a renewal of faith, and redemption through the blood of Jesus. Don’t let me succumb to the lies of Satan, but help me to shout “Get thee behind me!” to him in strength and power! Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who dwells within me, and hears my unspoken thoughts. Great are you Holy Father who sent His Son Jesus to hear the voice of my spirit, redeem me, and to usher in your Holy Spirit to give me understanding, and to show me my certain escape from temptation. All glory is yours Father; your grace abounds in Christ, and through Him all glory is yours... even from the foundation of creation, and into eternity.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
James 1:12-15 ESV
Rich Forbes