How do you deal with temptation? How can we win those personal battles over evil and temptation? Jesus is our example in everything. He clearly shows us how to win the victory over temptation and evil. After Jesus fasted 40 days, the devil tempted Jesus. The devil said to Jesus, If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread, Matthew 4: 3. Jesus answered, It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God, Matthew 4: 4. Theres an old quote (I dont know the source): You are most vulnerable to temptation when you are HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. Jesus is hungry and tired after His 40 day fast. And yet when the devil tempts Him, Jesus focuses on the Father, not on the temptation. Thats one of the keys. Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. If you are the Son of God, he said, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus answered him, It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test., Mt. 4: 5-6. Note the temptation is to jump. The temptation is to commit suicide. Serious stuff. Sometimes we put God to the test. Sometimes we try to see how much we can get by with, and sometimes we ignore Gods Word. Determine in your heart and mind that your eternal relationship with your Father is more important than anything else--more important than your feelings, impulses, desires. Your Father wants you to have eternal life with Him. He loves you. Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. All this I will give you, he said, If you will bow down and worship me. Jesus said to the devil, Away from me, Satan. For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only, Mt. 4: 8--10. Notice the devil tried to tempt Jesus into devil worship. Satanic worship. Devil worship and demon worship are becoming more popular. The Bible clearly predicts that towards the end of time, devil worship and demonic worship will be pervasive around the world. Read Revelation 9: 20--21. You and I are fighting a spiritual battle every day. Know your enemy. Jesus said the devil came, To steal, kill destroy, Jn. 10: 10. Revelation 12: 9 describes the devil: The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Did you ever wonder why so many bad things are happening in this world? Theres your answer: theres a spiritual force of evil working in this world: ISIS. Terrorism. Beheadings. Addictions. Child abuse. Theres a force of evil at work. Jesus call this force, this person, the devil. Jesus said the devil is a murder, a liar, And the father of all lies, Jn. 8: 44. Know your enemy. And know your Creator: you were created by God to worship God. Jesus shows us the way to win victory over every temptation: Focus on your Father. Keep His Word fresh in your mind at all times. Focus on your relationship with the Lord, not on the temptation. Set your minds on things above, no on earthly things, Colossians 3: 2. Make sure you and your family are in church. Worship the Lord. Draw on His strength, His power: I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me, Philippians 4: 13. Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God, Matthew 4: 4. The Word of God for the people of God, and all of Gods people said . . .
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:54:00 +0000
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