Daily Word
Prepared By: Suzy Naber
Part six: And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from the evil one
Here’s one certainty in life: we will be attacked by Satan. There’s no question about it! What’s imperative is that we constantly be on the alert. The enemy will always tempt us because he knows of the great things God wants to do in our lives. So we have to be aware not to fall into his trap and give up all for a few moments of pleasure! This is why Jesus instructed his disciples"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41).
Jesus is asking us to "pray in order not to fall into temptation". The best time to pray this preventive prayer is before we fall into it because it will become more difficult to fight the battle when we’re in the heat of it. We must draw a line and not allow ourselves to get near that line. For instance if we find ourselves with any kind of unholy attraction, we must separate ourselves from it immediately and confess it before God and ask Him to set us free from it. Sometimes, we need to fast and pray in order to break down that stronghold. We should be determined not to allow sin to control us but enjoy the freedom that Christ won for us on the cross.
Don't ever think that anyone is immune to temptation. Temptation can happen to anyone, anywhere, any time and when we least expect it! We can be tempted by anything, by lust, by money, by power or by desire. But it is not impossible for us to resist sin. It can be done. Jesus was our example; "…He has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). In setting that example we are given a challenge. We can with the help of the Holy Spirit live free from sin’s power. "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted". (Hebrews 2:18)
As Christians we have been given victory over sin through Christ’s death on the cross, but we seldom live that victory. We have been given the power to resist temptation. James 4:7 says "submit yourselves then to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." When Jesus was tempted, he was submitted to God and used the Word of God on Satan. Indeed, the Word of God is the most powerful weapon we have against Satan. In Eph. 6:17 we find that there is only one offensive weapon against the devil and that is "the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God". We must therefore memorize the Word of God and use it as our weapon in times of need.
Jesus' temptation happened just before His ministry, the greatest breakthrough in His life and it will happen before the greatest breakthrough in yours too. Be ready for it and remember no matter how great the temptation is you face, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1John 4:4). You have the power to overcome it. We have to acknowledge that apart from Christ we are impotent against any temptation.
David wrote in Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you". We need to know, believe, and use the Word of God with the help of God’s Spirit within us. Amen.
Scripture to Read:
"The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation” (II Peter 2:9).
“God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. ” (I Corinthians 10:13)
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need". (Hebrews 4:16).
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be strong in my mind and spirit so I don't fall into any traps of the enemy. Do not allow me to be led into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one and his plans for my downfall. Thank You Lord that You are near to all who call upon You and You will fulfill the desire of those who fear You. Thank you that You hear my cries and will save me from any weakness that could lead me away from all you have for me. Thank you that You will deliver me out of all temptation and keep it far from me. Amen.
November, 11, 2006 7:31 AM