Life Capsule for Today Date 10th August, 2022
Theme: Overcoming Temptation (4)
Text: Matt 6:13
13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. NKJV
Topic: Why many fall into temptation
Today’s Reading: Matt 26:41
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. KJV
Words of the Ministry:
Yesterday we saw some examples of individuals that were tempted by the devil in the new testament, we learnt from the accounts of Jesus, Judas and a couple Ananias and Sephira. While Jesus overcame, we saw the other the examples actually fell into the plot of the devil. We previously learnt that temptation is common to all and that temptation in itself is not a sin but the goal is to make us sin against God. Today, we like to look at a why people fall for the trap of the devil.
While we may generally say the devil is the reason for temptation, he is not the reason why people fall into temptation, rather he has since the time of Adam implanted something in man that poisoned the nature of man, that makes man susceptible to temptation and that is the flesh and the self (Gen 6.3, Rom 6.12), when this two are in operation without check, man would do the biding of Satan always. The bible teaches that believers must deny the self, take us their cross and follow Christ example (Luk 9.23). When this is not done, the lust of the self-life becomes a stumbling block to our Christian living, James 1:13-15 said “13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. “ . The main reason why many fall for the tricks of the devil is lust, it could be the lust of the eyes, flesh or the pride of life. Just like our first parents, many cannot look away from what give them immediate gratification. They don’t know how to say no; they can’t withdraw themselves from immediate pleasure neither were they willing to suffer.
When the flesh and the self grows without check in a believer, the believers could be said to be carnal, we see such Christians behaving like unbelievers because they have not taken advantage of the provisions of the cross, the word, the holy spirit and the blood. By natural strength it’s difficult to overcome temptation. Temptation from our memory verse and text is described as a pit that we must not fall into, as evil that we must be delivered from. As we look at the example of Jesus, we noticed that on the one hand he took advantage of God’s provision and on the other hand, he was willing to suffer and in the long run he got the glory. In our subsequent study we would be looking at the way of victory and the benefits we get when we overcome temptation. Many have been deceived that hence God forgives our sins, there is no need to live a victorious life, once you sin, you confess and that’s it. Yes, the Lord forgives but the implication is that you are but a child not growing in life and asuch may not enjoy the benefits of the mature in Christ, secondly you may lose your reward. Sin is evil, someone said it means Satanic in nature, join us tomorrow as we consider how to overcome temptation.
Bible in One Year: Isiah 47-51
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