TEMPTATION AND THE WORD 4
I pray that the Lord gives you understanding as you read today. Amen. ❤️
The devil took Jesus round the world to feed His eyes. He didn't realize that the whole Earth is His footstool.
The drama goes thus:
Devil: The world is so beautiful and enviable. I deliberately brought you here to see how Earth has faired under my watch.
I've given Kings like Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh access to parts of the world and it gave them the recognition and power they desired.
I'm ready to withdraw power from all the kings that rule over these kingdoms and give to you alone. I'll make you the only ruler over these kingdoms if you'd just kneel before my feet and worship me.
I can't help but laugh, please. The devil is so unpredictable. How did it feel to say that nonsense? 🤣
I know he must have acted the drama in his head a lot of times before tempting Jesus. He must have rehearsed his response in case Jesus fell for his offer and if it happened in the 21st century, he probably would have hidden a lot of camera men for reference purposes.
But Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit as always replied to his offer. "You must only worship the Lord your God. That rule has never changed. You will serve only Him and not the other way round."
What a profound answer!!! Jesus has the best of answers always. Kudos to the Holy Spirit.
Then the devil shamefully left the scene. He had met his match. He probably hadn't recorded such failure in a row.
Observations
_ Jesus is God who left his glory above to be a man.
At the time Jesus came to the world as a man, he didn't have access to His power and glory in Heaven.
The devil must have thought about this and decided to entice Him.
It is true an average man wants some form of recognition and ambience. He thought Jesus was power drunk and would be interested in his offer.
To show you how much the devil disregards the scriptures, he didn't remember John 1:2 or probably, he didn't read the Bible up to that book or he decided to try his luck. Either way, it was a foolish trial.
Nothing existed without Jesus, so, why did the devil try to buy Jesus into what streamed from Him directly?
He probably had forgotten that He was given the Earth to oversee for a period.
I think in this case, the devil is the one who is power drunk because he wants to maintain power on the earth and will do everything possible to make that happen.
He was looking for a way to get Jesus under His feet. He was wrong, because Jesus wins always. Gloryyy. 🥳🥳
LESSONS
_ The devil will try to tempt you with what you lack, secretly desire or cannot do without.
Some people fear what will happen to them if they stop having certain things or living in certain ways, and they go the extra mile to get it continually.
If you idolize something a lot, the devil will tempt you with the lack of it.
_ Satan did not think that Jesus had disciplined himself to the level of doing away with all the power, glory and luxury in Heaven to just fulfill His purpose.
As believers, we must be ready to sacrifice when we have to. Our discipline level must also be heightened as believers. Apostle Paul said all things are lawful, but not expedient.
_ There are some times that some silly/lustful thoughts, friends that encourage ungodly things suffice and the longer they stay in/around you, the more vulnerable you become and succumb to their offer.
When temptations come, it is better to get rid of it as quickly as possible.
Leaving the environment of temptation may temporarily salvage the situation, but I tell you of a truth that you should practice using the Word in addition to that.
Anytime ungodly thoughts rent my head, I usually shouted out loud and try to stop the words from coming, or find sleep, but they didn't stop coming.
The method didn't work either. I was always frustrated. 😩
Until I realized that the word of God controls anything and everything, I struggled with temptations. Not that I'm free from being tempted, but now, I use the Word when temptations come and they are silenced bt God's grace.
The Word of God silences the spirit of depression, suicidal thoughts, lustful thoughts, failure thoughts etc. Use the Word to overcome any temptation whatsoever.
WHY SHOULD YOU PRIORITIZE USING THE WORD ABOVE EVERY OTHER METHOD.
We don't live according to the standards of the world and we also understand that as believers, life's spiritual and the Word is the most effective weapon. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
HOW DO YOU USE THE WORD TO OVERCOME TEMPTATIONS?
1. Acknowledge that only the Holy Spirit can help you overcome temptations and only Him can make the Word work.
2. Bring every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6
3. Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, and of good report, they are the things you should think on. Philippians 4:8
You have to intentionally think on godly things and when thoughts that are not worthy to think about come, bring them into obedience by quoting the word of God.
4. Take note of all the lessons shared and implement them. It's not just enough to read, you will only be victorious when you prayerfully do the things you have read in this series. Philippians 4:9
5. You can also ask yourself this question? Would Jesus think about this? Would He give it a rethink?
If yes, you can go ahead to reflect on it. If no, silence it with the Word immediate
These are a few lessons from the third temptation of Jesus and we will live a victorious christian life if we apply them.
I believe you're blessed from this study already. Kindly share the top lessons you learnt from this episode.
If you have more lessons to share that are not here, kindly put them in the comments for others to be blessed by it.
Again, it may be easier said than done to do these things, but there is grace and much grace available for you, the believer, to do them. Cheers.
Pray with me: That the Lord will give you the faith to believe that overcoming temptation is possible and the grace to do the required things to live a victorious christian life. Amen.
Story reference: Read Matthew 4:7-10
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