No one is immune to temptation! Even some of the most outstanding people in the Bible and in history, have succumbed to temptation. Furthermore, the problem is within us! The Bible teaches us that even believers still have a sinful nature. It lives right alongside the new nature, the Holy Spirit, that lives within us. (See Galatians 5:17) these two natures are at war with each other!

What kinds of temptations does that sinful nature respond to?
” For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–is not from the Father but is from the world”. 1John 1:16. You can count on it! The temptation to sin will touch one of these three areas! Something that pleases my flesh (pleasure) , something pleasing to gaze on or that just appeals to my pride will typically be the temptation.

Please understand that lust is taking something God has not given me because I am deceived into believing that it will make me happy. It makes no difference if is is sexual sin or just materialism. In a sense, you are substituting what God has given you for what you want, a form of idolatry. Friends, it can be a simple thing like food or a car, something not wrong in itself, but outside of God’s plan. That’s why God calls covetousness idolatry!

In addition, there is always a process involved, especially in sexual sin. Please note what James writes, ” Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived gives birth to,sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death”. James 1:14, 15. Lust, enticing, desire, conception, sin and finally death!

In Luke 4, Jesus defeats the devil on all 3 levels of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. How does He do it? By quoting the Word of God! It’s your weapon! It’s the sword of the Spirit! Use it! I guarantee you, if you use the Word of God the next time you are tempted, the devil will flee from you just as he did from Jesus!

Pastor Terry