About Temptation
James 1:14 says, “Every man is
tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” Temptation
originates with the person. You will be
drawn to what is in your heart. Satan
lays the trap, but the heart of man gets him into the trap. That is why scripture says , “Keep your heart
with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life”, Proverbs 4:23.
Temptation gets to be
tricky. 1st Corinthians 10:13
says, “There is 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 you are able to bear;
but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be
able to bear it.” God will help you if
you want to be helped. Your heart’s
desire must be to do what is right and Father will give you a measure of faith
and strength to do what is right.
1st John 2:15-16
says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. For all that is in
the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but of the world.”
Temptation proceeds out of these three distinct things.
· The lust of the flesh
· The lust of the eyes
· The pride of life
The Lust of the Flesh
This temptation promises pleasure to the flesh. This is the lust for all physical
satisfactions which are outside of the ordained
will and purposes of God for man.
This includes perversion of any kind.
The word of God and faith in
that word helps Believers to see and comprehend that the pleasures of sin are
only for a season. Pleasures are short
lived and they have no power to satisfy permanently. You must repeat, repeat, and repeat the sin for the brief momentary
pleasure.
God has ordained that we be
led by His Holy Spirit and live out of our human spirit. Our human spirit is where the word of God
that we have heard lies. It was never God’s intent for us to live to
satisfy the lust of the flesh. The lust
of the flesh is managed by a decision to follow God’s word and allowing God to
make that “way of escape “ for us. First
comes the word of God, then comes the decision to follow the word, after that,
prayer, fasting, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
All of these bring the lust of the flesh under the power of the Holy
Spirit and brings peace to the life of a Believer.
The Lust of the Eyes
This temptation originates from all that is
seen in the world. The eyes covet
and want what is seen. It matters not if
it belongs to others, is forbidden by God, or detrimental to the spirit, soul,
and/or body.
Our comfort should come from
God’s material blessings on our lives.
The word of God says, “A faithful man will abound with blessings,
Proverbs 28:20”. We have no need to covet
and lust after the world’s treasury.
“All things are ours pertaining to life and godliness, 2nd
Peter 1:3”.
1st Timothy 6:6-7
says, “Godliness with contentment is
great gain. For we brought nothing into
this world and it is certain we carry nothing out.”. Having more, more, and more, pales when you
realize that it does not satisfy and cannot be taken with you. Seek the eternal treasure of doing God’s
will, blessing others, and quietly enjoying the material blessings in your
life.
The Pride of Life
The lust for the approval and recognition of
men is called pride. The assertion of
one’s own self above others is also called pride. The word of God says, “Pride goes before
destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall, Proverbs 16:18”. Pride is a killer. It shows up is so many ways and often
disguises itself. It is deadly to
relationships.
The Believer should expect any
honor that comes to him to be from God. We should not seek to position
ourselves to be favored by men. John
12:43 says, “…For they loved the praise of men rather than the praise of
God”. Pride will take you captive if
your treasure is of this world.
Faith in God settles the
heart. Many years ago God spoke directly
to me in my spirit and said, “I will not be better to others than I am to
you.” This “rhema” word settled my heart
regarding my relationship with Father.
It has caused me never to be in competition with others and to understand
that my blessings are those that God has provided for me. I give thanks for what I have, for what I
have is what God has provided for me.
There may be much more to have in this world, but contentment comes to
me from knowing and trusting my Provider and Supplier Who is Jesus Christ
(Father, Holy Spirit). I lack nothing
because of Him.
God (Good) Advice
Expect your entire honor from
God.
Use no bargaining tactics with
Satan to gain the glory of this world.
(Your spirit will be
disquieted when you engage pride in your work for God)
Study the lives of apostles,
prophets, and foregone saints to see their triumph over pride and lusts.
Pride is a door opener for
temptation. Do not let pride open doors for you to be tempted.
Blessings and honor will come
if you do God’s will. The challenge then
becomes keeping your eyes upon the Creator and not created things (man, wealth,
power).
About Temptation? I think not.
Let us be about our Father’s business.
