10/13/2020
As Christians we trust that we can resist temptation, and often we become so confident in God giving us the strength to resist it, or providing us with an escape from it, that we ignore the fact that we should be repulsed by it. Jesus resisted the temptations of Satan, but it is also true that He didn’t tempt God by seeking out Satan’s company in the wilderness. Like Christ, we should not put our spirits in harm’s way, and keep ourselves distant from the haunts of sin.
“Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,”
Proverbs 5:8 ESV
Alcoholics are rarely called by God to witness in taverns, and those who are prone to lustful sins aren’t sent to the red lights districts of their city. Scripture tells us specifically that we are not tempted by God.
“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.”
James 1:13-14 ESV
So we ask ourselves why Jesus dined with sinners if we are told to avoid tempting situations. Well first and foremost Jesus was without sin, and perhaps if He had been weak in faith then witnessing to sinners in the very houses where their sin resided would have been a very different situation. As it were, He was not sick with sin, but healthy in His faith, and prepared to heal them of sin’s sickness that each one of them carried within themselves...
“And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””
Mark 2:16-17 ESV
Like Jesus we are called to go out into the world, where we are to preach, and teach, the gospel to those who haven’t heard it, but we aren’t sent to places where we would certainly lose our own souls in the process. God is wise, and knows what we are capable of enduring. Had Job been weak in his faith God would never have allowed Satan to have tempted him thus...
“Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”
Job 1:9-12 ESV
We wonder why Satan was allowed to increase the temptation of Job so horribly, and ask ourselves if it wasn’t really God who was tempting him, but in truth, the Lord knew that Job was beyond Satan’s ability to tempt him, just as He knew that Jesus who was without sin couldn’t be tempted by the sin that sat around the table of the tax collectors.
“And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.””
Job 2:3 ESV
So who are we that we can consider ourselves free of all sin like Jesus, or to be the most faithful man on earth as Job was? We are fallen men and women who are scratching and climbing our way towards a stronger faith, and striving each day to avoid the temptations that Satan, the roaring Lion, presents to us in such a challenging fashion. We are those struggling children who’s parents warned us to “watch the company you keep”, and to be careful because “when you play with fire you will get burnt!” We find that evil is subtle, snd we are lured into sin one step at a time...
“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 1:14-15 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for protecting me against all forms of temptation in my life, and for keeping me from the lion’s den where Satan makes his stronghold. Father send me into the world to deliver the gospel of Jesus, but prepare me fully before I go. Lead me not into temptation , but deliver me from evil. I am yours Lord, and it is my great desire to live within your kingdom forever. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who knows my heart, and how much I can resist when Satan speaks his lies to me. Praised def be your name for my deliverance, and escape, when I am on the verge of faltering. Great is your strength when you lift me up, and mount me on the wings of eagles. You are merciful Father for leading me by the still water, and through the valleys of life, and death. Your grace is sufficient for me, and your Son Jesus the source of my redemption and worthiness before you. Wash me clean Jesus, and find we acceptable to you Father... now, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes