The curriculum for my kid’s Christian Education class yesterday was about the Devil. In the Scripture he has several names: Lucifer, Deceiver, Liar, the Enemy, Satan, Tempter, Beelzebub, Prince of the power of the air – each speaking to a different aspect of the Devil’s work. His most effective work among humans is deception – presenting us with a false narrative about God.
In the early chapters of Genesis, we are informed about his basic strategy. He meets Eve and suggests that God is not good, that what God has said is not true, and that God is withholding the best from her. “He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so, they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” (Genesis 3)
They succumbed to his tempting words and immediately, in the poetic words of Genesis, we are told they became aware of their nakedness – vulnerable, exposed – and they covered themselves. Sadly, the text tells us that they also hid from God’s Presence!
The Deceiver is still at it
for when he can get us to question God’s goodness and love,
he has started to drive a wedge between us and our Father!
Regardless of how long we have been a follower of Jesus – the evil one remains a real foe. The Tempter and his demons play off the real circumstances in our lives, offering us 'relief' from our pain through things that will ultimately destroy us. In the hour of temptation, we seldom see those things for what they are! He wraps up his lies and often they appear to a gift!
Jesus, Himself,
experienced the tempter’s appeal. In Matthew 4 we find the story. He was alone
in the wilderness, where He was 'led by the Spirit’ He found Himself
weakened by hunger, alone with His thoughts.The tempter
shows up to exploit His desires, to offer false solutions for Jesus in the fulfillment
of His God-given mission.
"Turn these stones into bread. ...
presume on God's power by forcing Him to intervene to save you from yourself
...
take a shortcut to power by giving me worship!"
Jesus did
not argue with the tempter. He turned to Truth!
Each deception was countered
with declaration of Scripture.
"It is
written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from
the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4, NIV) "It is also written:
'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Matthew 4:7, NIV) "Away
from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him
only.'" (Matthew 4:10, NIV)
When we find ourselves in the wilderness of Temptation, hearing the whispering lies that invite us to step away from God, to give in to our desires, to doubt the love of our Father, we simply cannot rely exclusively on our own determination. Who has not told himself, “I’ll never do that again,” only to find himself failing? We cannot trust our own strength.
Instead, we go to the Scripture and find the Truth. We also must do the hard work of understanding our needs and vulnerabilities in order to live truthfully. We confess, without excuse, our failures and sins and find security in God’s absolute promise of renewal and forgiveness – because of His profound love and amazing grace.
Pray for the
Light to shine brightly dispelling the shadows.
Name the temptation as God
does, not with the pretty descriptions offered by the tempter, and the Lord
will be your shield and strength. The wisdom of the Word reminds us of our strength.
We turn first to the Lord, then we turn courageously to face the tempter. “So
humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
(James 4:7)
Fighting some
temptation?
Questioning the goodness of God?
Here's a word from the Word. May God, the Spirit, give us faith to live the Truth and reject the deceptions. "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes." (Psalm 119:9-12, NKJV)
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