11/27/2021
As Christians we are not immune to temptation, and though we resolve in our spirits, and minds, that we will follow Jesus, our bodies are still made of dust… a substance of the world. In this way our flesh is weak, and it is only by the faithfulness of God that we are helped to resist the powerful temptation of sin, and provided escape from it. This is not to say that we are destined to be lost, but that we would most certainly be so without the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the grace of God. Our bodies are not unlike others of the world, so a Christian is tempted just as the unbelievers, yet we have hope, redemption, forgiveness, and look forward to a glorified body. In these promises we are spiritually strengthened, armed, and transformed. Are we prepared to stand against temptation when it comes?
“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
As we walk the path of our faith towards righteousness, and perfection, we are under constant attack by Satan and his minions. He stalks us like a lion, and crouches in the underbrush in ambush. Our guard should always be up, and our weapons of scripture held at the ready. He hunts all men, the faithful, and unfaithful, alike, but the path we walk contains his favorite quarry… all God’s children.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
There is a saying among warriors that serves both as a strategy for overcoming an adversary, and as a warning to us as we proceed into battle. It is a simple, and easily understood strategy yet it remains effective… it goes like this “ divide and conquer.” This saying predates the Roman Empire, and is attributed to Philip II of Macedon, but if we watch a pride of lions hunt for wildebeests we see that they use this same strategy instinctively. Satan uses this age old method against Christians today. We are separated, and then tempted just as Jesus was…
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’””
Luke 4:1-4 ESV
Others are often used to tempt us, but every man, or woman’s, encounter with temptation is personal, and either resisted, our succumbed to, individually. No one is to blame for our sins, and transgressions, but ourselves. As we have read previously, God doesn’t allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist, and if we approach our breaking point He provides us with an escape, just as He did for David against Saul. The questions are these… will we recognize God’s provision, and will we take it?
“Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. And David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.” So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.”
1 Samuel 23:26-28 ESV
Our victory over temptation, or escape from it, is just as certain. This is God’s promise. We receive strength in our numbers, iron sharpening iron, and saint encouraging saint…
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
We also receive the full armor of God, and His defenses…
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV
As Christians we will most certainly do battle against temptation, but being dressed and readied to oppose it by God, given strength through our joining together for encouragement, and provided escape routes when they are needed, we should never fear failure against our temptation. However, we likewise should never present ourselves to be tested, for that is tempting God.
“Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’””
Matthew 4:7 ESV
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””
Matthew 26:41 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading us not into temptation, but delivering us from evil, but when we are confronted by the temptation of Satan, we thank you for preparing us through your Spirit to resist it, and for every escape you provide us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us, delivers us, and provides for us. Praised be your name for every scripture that comes to mind as we strike at the heart of temptation. Praised be your name for those you place in our lives to strengthen us in faith, and thank you for every escape from temptation that you provide. Merciful are you in this way Lord, and for making our paths straight as you stand by us, and we walk with Jesus. You are our strength, and our defender, against every evil, and guide us down paths of righteousness, avoiding every wrong turn that leads us astray. Your grace is sufficient for us Father, and through Jesus we find our way to you. Wash us in His blood, and forgive us in His name Lord. Find us worthy, pleasing to you, and deserving to be called your children as we are transformed into the image of Christ. Seat us before you at your table, and sustain us with the manna of your Word for eternity. Here we will worship you as every heavenly creature by calling to You Holy, Holy, Holy!
“And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!””
Revelation 4:8 ESV
Rich Forbes