The temptations of life are real, and every day we are faced
constantly with one temptation or another, with a choice to either do what is
right in the sight of God and forfeit the temporary gain or to do what is wrong
against God’s commands and gain the momentary material benefit or emotional
gratification. Everyone can be tempted and no one is invulnerable to
temptations; but coming out as a victor or a victim of a temptation is
predetermined by one’s level of preparedness both mentally and spiritually
before the time of the temptation.
The temptations
of life come either from the enemy, the Devil (sometimes using humans), or from
God. But there is a world of difference between the temptations from God and
those from the Devil. The Word says; “Let
no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted
with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is
drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” And the Word also says; “There hath no temptation taken you but such
as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,
that ye may be able to bear it.”
God is just and
does not do evil, neither can He be tempted with evil; so also He does not
tempt anyone to do evil, and so He should not be blamed when one falls for a
temptation because of one’s own lustful desires. The Devil tempts to cause one
to rebel against God, but the temptations of God are never targeted at causing
harm, rather they are often trials of the believer’s faith, to purify and
strengthen his heart’s trust in God; just as with Biblical Abraham and Job.
God’s temptations always tend towards righteousness, not iniquity; and He not
only provides a way of escape for the believer, but He also never tempts him
beyond the strength He gave him can bear. God would not tempt a man to steal or
to commit adultery when He clearly stated in His Word that it is a sin; but He
may tempt a man with a temporary situation of lack or delay in His release of a
blessing or miracle.
Facing temptations is not a sign of weakness but falling for
it is! The Word says; “If thou faint in
the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” You don’t overcome
temptations by waiting for the day it comes, rather you overcome temptations by
being rightly and fully prepared before the day it comes.
The Devil is also called the Tempter, he tempts with his
suggestions and deceptions, to make the believer doubt God’s Word and disobey
it; and no one is exempted from his temptations. He also tempted Jesus by
diverse methods and Christ overcame all; so also we can overcome all, only if
we know how. “You can’t claim to be good if you have never been tempted to be
bad!” The victor is crowned after the battle, and not before! “Your mind is the
battle field where you fight the daily war of temptations!”
Using the example set by our Saviour Jesus Christ, below are
four (4) ways to overcome the enemy’s temptations as Jesus did:
1. Have a working knowledge of the Word of God and utilize it
as your major weapon of warfare against the Devil’s temptations; just as Christ
did when He replied, “It is written…”
to the enemy’s initial three temptations. “You are defenseless against his
temptations if the Devil knows the Word better than you do!”
2. Some opportunities can be temptations in disguise, watch
out for such. When those folks wanted to make Jesus a king by force; that was
another of the enemy’s temptation to derail him from fulfilling God’s purpose
for His life. Beware! “An opportunity is a temptation, if it will cause you to
lose concentration on what should have your most attention!”
3. The voices of friends/relations can also be the voice of
the Devil. When he spoke through Peter, Jesus’ close disciple; Jesus replied; “Get thee behind me Satan!” “When he is
after you, the Devil will use every usable means and speak through every usable
voice from any available body!” Beware, and maintain a sensitive spirit always.
4. Know your purpose/assignment and remain in it. Jesus never
consciously walked out of the place and scope of his assignment to the Jews
only, even when the temptations came. “It is easier to stay out of a temptation
than to get out of it!”
An effective way to overcome
temptations is not to fight it, but to ignore it, because the more you try to
fight it, the more it gets a stronger hold on your thoughts and emotions and
consequently your actions. Always be the manager of your mind, monitor your
media intake and control your imaginations. Refocus your attention to that
which is right in the sight of God and never depend on your ability, but depend
on God’s Holy Spirit in you, and you will always overcome. The Word says; “Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the
Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Temptations are not meant to destroy us, but to teach us the
fear of God; and in Christ Jesus, You are an overcomer!
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