How many times have we been persuaded to buy items, by advertisements we have either seen or heard of on television, online, newspapers, magazines, radio, posters etc? Whichever way we look, we see or hear these advertisements all around us. They persuade us to buy something that we do not really need and probably hadn’t even thought about until we saw the advertisement. They are out there to tempt us!
We have temptations in life of all kinds; merchandise, food, cigarettes, alcohol, sexual, gambling, to name but a few. Often these temptations, when we give in to them, don’t seem to be that serious, until we get drawn in even deeper and they become an addictive and destructive problem.
When we read the Bible we come to realise that everything in this world is a spiritual battle that is constantly taking place, and in these last days the temptations will increase, leading to sin.
1 Peter 5:8 (CSB)
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
We must stay vigilant because what can seem a small temptation can quickly escalate into something which can take us down very quickly. We have been given free will by God, so we have a choice. We do not have to be tempted by anything.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (CSB)
No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.
The devil is battling for our souls, he will do whatever it takes to entice us into sinning and ending up in a position we would rather not be in.
Matthew 6:13 (CSB)
“And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Once you realise that a spiritual battle is taking place, everything that is happening in the world right now in 2023, will make complete sense. The dots will become joined together!
Matthew 26:41 (CSB)
“Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 (CSB)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
Jesus, who is free from sin, was also tempted by the devil, but He never gave in to the devil’s temptations. You can find out what happened by reading the Bible in the book of Matthew, Chapter 4, verses 1-11. After the devil had tempted Him, Jesus said the following –
Matthew 4:10-11 (CSB)
Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” Then the devil left him, and the angels came and began to serve him.
James 4:7 (CSB)
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
When we realise temptation comes from the devil, we must do as Jesus did and tell the devil to ‘Go away!’
Galatians 5:16-17 (CSB)
I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.
Further along in this scripture we read what the desires of the flesh are –
Galatians 5:19-21 (CSB)
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things – as I warned you before – that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
We learn from this scripture how not to lead our lives because sin is a very serious thing. God wants us to be repentant when we recognise these sins in ourselves and ask His forgiveness, which He will give. But, we must sin no more. The temptations we might consider to be small and insignificant are actually of great significance to God.
There is fast approaching a time where temptations will become greater. We will be told, more than ever, that certain things are to be of great benefit to us. People will try to cajole us into doing or receiving such things, which ultimately will lead to destruction. We must always pray to God for discernment, so that we can resist such temptations.
Luke 22:40 (CSB)
When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.”
Jesus did not promise a temptation free life because He knew the devil will always try to tempt us, but God has provided us with an escape route from temptation. We must remain faithful to God and stand firm in Jesus Christ, follow the lead of The Holy Spirit and resist the devil, and the devil will flee from us.
Onward Christian Soldiers 