TACKLING TEMPTATION (Part I)

 Tackling temptation (Part I)

 Jesus Christ is our perfect example.  Unlike our ancestor, Adam, Jesus remained victorious in every satanic attack. [Compare/Contrast Genesis 3:1-7 and Matthew 4:1-11].   The First Adam succumbed willfully to sin.  The Second Adam overcame every single weapon in Satan’s arsenal, i.e. “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.” (I John 2:16)  Jesus Christ was not only fully God, He was also fully man.  But while walking in mortal flesh, He obtained absolute victory over this world system.  Therefore, according to scripture, “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, NKJV)

 Christ overcame by steadfast reliance on the Word.  Rather than dialogue with the enemy; He dispatched the Word and defeated Him.  We, too, must deploy this Word weapon, with God’s sure promise that we will conquer. (II Corinthians 10:4-5)  Indeed, our “God always leads us in triumph in Christ.” (II Corinthians 2:14)

 The fallen archangel, Satan, is extremely crafty.  Though he has but three weapons in his demonic arsenal, he dispatches them with cunning creativity, as a treacherous snare to entangle God’s people. (Romans 12:2)  Consider “Discipleship Journal’s” survey that ranks man’s spiritual vulnerabilities, our points of greatest spiritual challenge:

1. Materialism

2. Pride

3. Self-centeredness

4. Laziness

5. Sexual lust

6. Anger/Bitterness

7. Envy

8. Gluttony

9. Lying

 This survey identified situations in which temptations become more severe: 

--81% of participants said it’s when they neglect time with God.

--57% of participants said it’s when they are physically exhausted.

 Survey participants also noted solutions that result in victory over temptation: 

--84% stated victory is accomplished through continual prayer.

--76% said it’s accomplished by avoiding compromising situations.

--66% said it’s accomplished by meditating on the Word.

--52% said it’s accomplished by being accountable to someone.

 One dangerous pitfall in our temptation experience is the human tendency to rationalize and justify circumstances that can lead directly to sin.  Read the following story to gain a deeper understanding into how so many of us (unlike Christ) find ourselves haphazardly navigating the hour of temptation.

 Toad baked some cookies. “These cookies smell very good,” said Toad.  He ate one. 

“And they taste even better,” he said.  Toad ran to Frog's house. 

 “Frog, Frog,” cried Toad, “taste these cookies that I have made!”

Devouring one, Frog said “These are the best cookies I’ve ever eaten!”

 Frog and Toad ate many cookies, one after another. 

“You know, Toad,” said Frog, with his mouth full, “I think we should stop.  We’ll soon be sick.”

 “You’re right,” said Toad.  “Let’s eat one last cookie, and then we’ll stop.” 

Frog and Toad ate one last cookie.  There were many cookies left in the bowl.

 “Frog,” said Toad, “let’s eat one very last cookie, and then we’ll stop.”

Frog and Toad ate one very last cookie.

 “We must stop eating!” cried Toad as he ate another.

“Yes,” said Frog, reaching for the cookies, “we need willpower.”

 “What is willpower?” asked Toad.

“Willpower is trying hard not to do something you really want to do,” said Frog.

 “You mean like trying hard not to eat all these cookies?” asked Toad.

“Right!” shouted Frog.

 Frog put the cookies in a box.

“There,” he said.  “Now we will not eat any more cookies.”

“But we can open the box,” said Toad.

“That’s true,” said Frog.

 Frog tied some string around the box.

“There,” he said. “Now we will not eat any more cookies.”

“But we can cut the string and open the box.” said Toad.

“That’s true,” said Frog.

 Frog got a ladder.  He put the box on a very high shelf.

“There,” said Frog.  “Now we will not eat any more cookies.”

“But we can climb the ladder, take the box down, cut the string and open it,” said Toad.

“That’s true,” said Frog.

 Frog climbed the ladder, took the box down, cut the string, and opened the box.

Frog took the box outside.  He shouted loudly. “Hey, birds, come and get it!”

Birds came from everywhere. They loaded the cookies in their beaks and flew away.

 “Now we have no more cookies to eat,” said Toad sadly.  “Not even one.”

“Yes,” said Frog, “but we have lots and lots of willpower.”

 ”You may keep it for yourself, Frog,” said Toad.  “I’m going home to bake a cake!”

 Moral of the Story: Some people draw close as possible to sin, so sure they will somehow  overcome.  However, triumphant believers refuse to get close to sin.  For whenever we play with sin, or ignore its influences and consequences, we lose.  And remember: Never exchange one temptation for another. 

Think.  Read.  Meditate.  Pray.

 Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!