06/07/2021
As we live out our lives we find that we struggle day and night to reach, and then to maintain ourselves, in purity, and righteousness. Thankfully, we continue to grow in our maturity, and find ourselves strengthened all the more in our faith, and the maintenance of it, but let there be no doubt that even the spiritually aged, with all their knowledge and wisdom, still wrestle with the world for control of their souls. So how is it that the babies, and the young people in faith can dare hope to keep their way pure if their elders are struggling?
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!”
Psalm 119:9-10 ESV
Young, or old, we are meant to seek God, to dwell in His Word, and to obey His commandments. In so doing the Holy Spirit will give us an ever increasing understanding, and guide us. This is how we are able to stand against the world. His Word is our staff, and it is the support we lean on as we stand the long hours in His pastures. His commandments instruct us, and the life of Christ demonstrates how we should use His Word to encourage, and sustain ourselves in faith as we honor, and obey, Him. Though we are tempted to cling to the world, our strength, and life, comes from the Word of God.
“My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!”
Psalm 119:25 ESV
Babies are held lovingly to their mother’s breast and drink warm milk, then they are fed porridge, and finally, as they grow teeth, and develop a taste for solid food, they are allowed to eat meat. This is the way we grow in the world, but it is also the model by which we grow spiritually in faith. I have heard new Christians, babies in Christ, bemoan the fact that they aren’t immediately understanding the meat of scripture, or how they are discouraged, and feel they are failing in their faith because they stumble, or are tempted. They feel this way because they cling to the dust of their old lives, but this is common to man… and by facing it, we are lead to grow in faith. Temptation isn’t a sin, it is a natural occurrence that we face in the world as we grow in our faith, and as we grow able to resist, we face each challenge accordingly.
“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
Our way of escaping temptation is always revealed to us in God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit, coupled with the gospel of Jesus, will lead us to it. I would ask if you have ever experienced temptation in your life, but that would be a naive, and silly, question. Facing temptation isn’t a matter of if, but when, so it isn’t an occurrence that we are meant to question. However, asking how we can resist it, or learn from the experience, are certainly valid questions to ask, and understanding how to overcome each of our own worldly desires is the key to our escape.
“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 even as babies are tempted to bite the nipple, toddlers are prone to spit out their porridge, and children are inclined to complain about the meat set before them, so the Christians face temptations according to their maturity, ability, and the lesson that the Lord finds appropriate for them to learn. God doesn’t tempt us, but He will give us an escape, and we can always find it in His Word… if we study it, and take it to heart. Regardless of the maturity level of our faith we can find ourselves discouraged by the temptations we face, and occasionally fail to resist, but if we go back to God’s Word, and pray in the Spirit for guidance, strength, and understanding, we will be shown our escape route, and like Jesus we will be able to face each one with scripture… our strength, and staff.
“And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’””
Matthew 4:3-4 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word that gives me my escape from every temptation. Thank you Lord for leading me through the lesser temptations of my elementary years of faith, and the more treacherous temptations of the latter years of my advanced understanding and faithfulness. Your Word is my strength, my crutch as I recover from the times I have stumbled, and the staff I lean on as I serve you every day. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who’s love, and mercy, is poured out upon me in your Word. I praise you Father for every temptation I have resisted, and for Jesus who lifts me up, treats my wounds, and washes me clean when I have fallen victim to the world’s snares. Your grace abounds Father, and although I might fail and become discouraged in my shortcomings, I take solace in the fact that I see you waiting for me, and hear your joy, as I turn back towards you. Although I often carry my guilt like a weight upon my shoulders, you choose not to remember my transgressions. Father, wash me clean in the blood of Jesus, and help me to forgive myself as you have forgiven me. Let the wounds of my sin be healed, and my suffering washed away… separated from me as far as the East is from the West. Lift me up Lord, and find me worthy in your eyes… made pure in Christ, and defined by your Holy Word… pronounce to all of heaven and earth that I am your child, and seat me at your table forevermore… having escaped from sin’s temptation.
Rich Forbes