Temptation and trouble are a daily battle for all Christians. Jesus lovingly tells us this in John 16:33, we are not of this world so we
will have trouble and we will be tempted. The world which is ruled by the enemy, hates believers! I should have this next verse
burned into my memory banks and then I should orally recited it every morning before my feet hit the ground:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12.
Then right after that, pray the Armor of God (Eph. 6:13-18) over me! So many times I have been duped into following the enemy
right where he wants me to go. It happens when I focus too long on this world and not on the Father! As I do that I am drawing
away from the One who loves me the most and who can protect me! I willingly allow myself to be vulnerable when I take my eyes
off of Jesus!
Here is a scripture that will remind us that we are not alone. Christ, the Son of God came in human form, was tempted, suffered
and can relate to anything that we go through! Hebrews 2:18 says,
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
It is so comforting to know that God understands and is there to help! But on the same hand, He is not there to write the guest
list for the pity party either! He has given us clear cut directions in His Word on how to wage war in this world! God through the
Apostle Paul, tells us in 2 Cor.10:3-6,
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the
world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that set
itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
That verse is so powerful, it is serious “Scripture TNT”! We need to remember that our soul is saved but our flesh is not!! If we just ignore small situations because of guilt, toeholds become foot holds which eventually become strongholds for the devil. But too often we fall into the guilt trap that satan lays out! I know for myself, sometimes I get caught up in the world and it’s way of
dealing with temptation, stress and pressure! Usually on those days I did not spend quality time with my Savior and access all that
He has so lovingly sacrificed to provided me! When I think of it that way, it is pathetic! All I need to do is communicate with my
Lord! Read His instructions and promises and then pray, talk with Him, seek Him and love Him. That is the only way to be
connected and protected! Not that trouble won’t come my way but when it does, my perspective will be right to handle it! I will
also be equipped to move forward in the way that God intended, not the way that I see fit! Because God’s ways are perfect and
mine are not!
Don’t allow satan to block your communication with God, by guilt! The Lord sees everything, nothing is hidden from Him. He is
waiting for you to request His help! Open up the door to communication so that God can dispatch His Army out to not only rescue
you but strengthen, prepare and then send you! If you don’t, then all of the stress, struggle, temptation and anxiety of this world will
weigh you down. This will keep you from the opportunity of giving God glory and from finishing the “race” strong!! When you
think about it, that is all that we have to give to Him….our best! He gave us His best through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus! So, we
need to do everything we can, to give Him our best…not mistake free, we can do that!! What motivates me is this, with each
problem I face, I inevitably become stronger for one side. Either I get back and become stronger and wiser for God or stay down
and become a stumbling block and tool for Satan.
Every day is a battle! If Satan has lost the battle for your soul, he will battle for your light, saltiness and your effectiveness! May
God bless you as you passionately and boldly take on this new day in His service!
