Temptations I
This joke from belief-net titled: “No parking Zone” speaks for itself. A minister parked his car in a no parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldnt find a space with a meter. So he put a note under the windshield wiper that read, “I have circled the block 10 times. If I dont park here, Ill miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses. When he returned, he found a citation from a Police officer along with the note: Ive circled this block for 10 years. If I dont give you a ticket, I will lose my job, Lead me not into temptation. In life, we face both trials and temptations. Trials are testing while temptations are the actual enticement of the devil to sin against God and one another. We give in to temptation when we disregard Gods word. Temptations could be from Satan [Matt 4:1-3; James 1:13]; from men Mark 8:11]; self lust [James1: 13-15 and love of the world [1 John 2:15-17; Gal.4: 14; 1Tim 6:9; Rev.3: 10].
Many people probably know the story of Adam and Eve – our first earthly parents tempted by the devil [Gen 3:1-13] but may not realize that temptation is an ongoing task. In Adams era, there was only one commandment and they knew it. “That every fruit of the trees in the garden including the tree of eternal life, they should eat but the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they dare not eat for doing so would result to death and separation from God. Satan knew very well Gods commandment and the consequences of disobedience. The devil has power of manipulation, confusion and deceit. He went first to the supposing weaker sex -Eve. The woman ate the forbidden fruit and thereafter passed it to her husband, who also ate in gross negligence of Gods commandment. Since Adam and Eve represented the federation of earthly parents, their sin affected all human races. Satan deformed man whom God formed in His image through disobedience of Gods laws. The First Adam failed short of Gods glory by his own choice.
In another New Testament biblical story, Satan tempted Jesus. After Jesus was baptized at Jordan by John- the baptize, He was filled with the Holy Spirit and was led into wilderness where He fasted and prayed. Satan sensed he was hungry and perhaps weak after going without food for 40 days and nights, he set its traps on motion. In Satans first approach, he asked Jesus to turn stone into bread and eat as food. Jesus knew it was wrong to obey Satan and use His anointed power to satisfy His personal desires and flesh, so he refused to fall into the trap of Satan. If Jesus had wanted food, He could command angels to send down heavenly meals. He responded, man shall not live by bread alone. That was then. In todays world, bread is not only an essential commodity and staple food but also some people become so crazy, possessive and addictive that they can do anything just for bread. “Man must wack even at the detriment of our health and lives. Little wonder at every corner, you see Fast food franchises springing up and the business is booming. You cant afford to mess with food in America. Great number of people cannot miss a meal for whatever reason. A colleague of mine once said, I dont mess with my food, it represents my sweat and hard earned money. For the love of food, many have eaten themselves into obesity and some have become public charges.
The second temptation was for Jesus to exhibit spectacular display of power just to tempt God. Jesus knew it was wrong to follow Satans dictates. He then responded, Its written, thou shall not tempt the Lord your God. Yet many Christians are seeking for anointing power for showmanship and self-glory. How often have we been led to the mountain and asked to jump down that God had placed angels to rescue us. Some years ago, a Nigerian Evangelist deliberately walked into the den of lion hoping that God shall save him as He did to Daniel. He did it to tempt God and was an easy prey for the lions. Human beings always seek for signs. If you are a man of God show me your power. Gods power is not for drama. Brethren we must be careful and learn to walk out of un-noble deeds. We must be as wise as a serpent and uphold uncommon character. We should avoid every manipulation of the evil one and do not yield to temptation. Temptation is no sin, but yielding to it is sin. Many go to Church, sing in the Chancel Choir and learned at the Masters feet yet the word does not go through them. When tempted, they make feeble choices, behave unwisely and get into mess, ridicule and shame.
Not satisfied with Jesus resistance, the devil tried the third temptation. He took Jesus and showed Him the world government and kingdom as belonging to him. He offered to give Jesus the kingdom for one act of worship. Behold, Jesus chose to remain faithful to God. The devil has not changed his strategies and games. He manipulates Christians to worship him. The devil tries to tempt us by placing us in tantalizing opportunities to obtain world wealth, world power, and world recognition. When we know and behave ignorantly, we know nothing. In the world of greed, acquisition of riches and covetousness, many people do a lot of thing for money, for power and for recognition. Beware; the devil is ready and most willing to offer us the world for one act of worship. Its the devils commonest strategy.
Many have misused the authority given to them by failing in their responsibilities and conducts. When uplifted to a higher position, they abuse the confidence reposed on the person occupying such high office by receiving bribe, awarding elephant contracts, engaging wrong people in right places and acting boss instead of servant. The sordid story of an African-American Major who was caught receiving bribe in the course of his duty as a public officer is still fresh in mind. Similarly, some custodians of our culture and tradition have place recognition on the highest bidder, sold chieftaincy titles to those who are tasty for position to cover up their dubious and shady lifestyles. Funny enough, we seem to have more chiefs than the subjects. Some public opinion molder and public office holders have engaged in scandalous and terrible pen robbery that theyve eroded the confidence of the masses. Unbelievably, the dogs have eaten the bones hung at their necks. Some clergy are not absolved from the hustle for riches and position games. They offer and sell Church offices to highest bidders in gross negligence of stipulated conditions for such positions. As soldiers of Christ they have mingled with civilian affairs. “Christians should keep watchful eyes on those who claim to be Gods authorities yet fool people about Gods requirement for personal gains” This is not being judgmental but speaking the truth and fact of the matter.
We face daily the temptations to do some evil but we have inward will and power to resist and overcome them. In 1 Samuel 18, the Bible described David as “behaving wisely” than all Saul servants such that his name became highly esteemed. He enjoyed unusual respect of all who were impressed by his noble character” In another instance, the Bible says that King David was tempted by his own lust when he lusted at Bethsheba, his subjects wife taking her bathe. The King not minding his position invited and made love to her while the mates watched with dismay and disgust. He quickly directed his war captain to place her husband, Uriah in an area of fierce battle so as to be killed. The king yielded to that temptation and it resulted to grievous consequences in his life, family and kingdom. In another biblical story, Daniel was tempted to eat food sacrificed to idols, but he refused the kings delicacies in honor and obedience to Gods law. God blessed him, prospered and increased his wisdom. Later Daniel was put into lions den for refusal to worship man-made god. The three Hebrew boys- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were also put into furnace of fire for refusing to bow and worship the King Nebuchadnezzars Baal god. [Daniel 3:15-18]. In another development, Joseph was living in Potiphars house and was promoted to a prominent position of honor and given authority over his masters household. It was then that his masters wife lured him to sleep with her. But Joseph who had Gods favor resisted the temptation and fled. He considered it a sin not only against his master but also God of the universe. Despite the initial intimidation and persecutions, God vindicated him. Also, Job was so tempted that he lost all except his soul, yet he remained faithful to God.
Brethren, temptation is not new to humanity. Some people overcome them when they truly abide in God and control by the Spirit while others conquered by worldliness fall prey to the enemy. Today and every time the enemy tries to manipulate us into disbelieving God or/and placing God equal or lesser than other gods. Its plan is to create a barrier and cause us to be separated from our creator. Whatever actions we chose to take have diverse repercussions. Has someone offered you free food and drinks while on fasting or invited you to a party while youre on the mountain/wilderness? Many credit cards companies offer us juicy credit facilities we may have no need for. All these are part of temptation and are common daily happenings. 1 John 2:16 say 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 is of the world.” In our era, four [4] common temptations that saints of God fall into are: (I ) Desirous of vainglory [Gal 5:26; Phil 2:1-3; Col 2:18]; ( ii) Provoking one another [Eph 4:31-32; Col 3:8-10] (iii ) Envying one another [Rom 13:13; 1Cor 3:3; 2Cor 12:20; 1Tim 6:4; Titus 3:3; Jas 3:14-16]; ( iv) Taking Gods grace for granted. [Gal 2:21; 3:3 & 6:7].
We may not commit physical adultery or fornication or physically worship idols but we could be greedy, lustful and covetous, excessively angry for nothing, bearing grudges, being unforgiving and opening the gate of your mind to evil thoughts and desires. It could be that we take Gods grace and mercies for granted, accept His word but doubt its power and offer Him unaccountable stewardship. We hoard our time, talent and treasure and are selfish in our giving. There are always temptations to withhold and make excuses thereby attempting to justify our inactions. Be not deceived God knows those who are His true worshipers. Jesus said, “That true worshiper worship God in truth and in Spirit”. Also if you love me keep my commandment.” Each time we neglect Gods commandment we are prune to temptations and temptations lead to sin. Little wonder a hymn writer wrote: “Yield not to temptation for yielding is sin……….Ask Jesus to help you, He will carry you through.” Brethren do not loose sight that the fierce battle with Satan is on going and Satan is still tempting and has become more aggressive.
Evangelist Ogbonnaya can be reached by email: gkapin53@yahoo.