That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NKJV)
In Part I of this devotional, we looked at the three continual variables that each of us will have to face each and every day we live here on earth. These three things are used in combination to tempt us to sin. These three things are the flesh, the world, and the devil.
In Part II we will take a look at how these 3-things are used together to make that perfect combination that all too frequently causes us to loose focus and to stumble.
The devil uses the weakness of our flesh and the temptations of this world to snare us and he does this by primarily focusing on the weaknesses that we all possess in our flesh.
Let's take a look at 3 weaknesses and we will see exactly how they worked on Eve as recorded in the scriptures above. We will also then see how they're still working on us.
1.The lust (desire) of the Eyes: Eve looked upon the tree in the garden and saw that it was pleasant to her eyes. The devil continues to use this trap to try and get people to entertain fantasies in their thought life.
We need to be careful of what we allow into our minds. And one of the ways we can do this is by keeping our eyes on the Lord, and off the things that might cause us to stumble. It can start as casual gaze, and then become a fixed stare. When we realize that we are looking at something and it is causing us to think of things that are not lovely, pure, noble or honorable, then we need to take our eyes off of it, and put them back on the Lord, and His Word.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Psalms 119:37 (NKJV)
2.The Lust (desire) of the Flesh: Eve looked upon the tree and saw that it "was good for food." So, after first seeing it, and lusting after it, she now tasted it. In the same manor, Satan wants us to gratify our lustful desires that start with our looking upon something; he now wants us to partake in it physically. It doesnt matter what it is. It can be tempting us to sleep from laziness, excessive or unhealthy eating, fulfilling legitimate sexual needs illegitimately, or obtaining coveted items improperly, and so on.
The problem of us entertaining fantasies in our thought life is that they can lead to our actually carrying out these evil thoughts and they can become reality. The worldly view is that we should get whatever it is that we desire, but this isnt Gods view. We must capture these thoughts when they start. Bring them captive, and replace them with something that is healthy and righteous.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)
3.The Pride of Life: Satan tempted Eve in an area that we are all vulnerable, and that is our pride. He told her that once she ate the fruit, your eyes would be open, and that she would be like God, knowing good and evil.
Pride was the downfall of Satan, and it is the downfall of mankind. When we dare to think that our way is better than Gods way, or when we begin to think that we dont need God or His mercy, we are on the road to destruction. And we must understand that we have given our life right to the one who felt the same way, and that is Satan himself.
Its like this, God is good, and His ways are perfect. Anything other than His ways are not in his will, and that constitutes sin. We dont make our decisions because society is doing it a particular way. And we dont make our decisions based on how we feel we should do something. And if we resist Gods wisdom and justify any other way of living our life, we are simply searing the conscious in pride and walking in sin.
James quotes the proverbs when he tells us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
For all that is in the worldthe lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of lifeis not of the Father but is of the world. 1John 2:16 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, lets not fall into the same old, same old patterns of falling for the same temptations that have been working since the Garden of Eden. Lets seek the wisdom of the Lord, and choose, or purpose in our heart to walk with God.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about Satans tactics according to Ecclesiastes 1:9? What can we learn about living our lives according to the other scriptures on this page?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you see where the enemy has used these weaknesses in your flesh to tempt you, and to get you off the path of living righteously?
APPLICATION: Dont listen to the cravings, lusts or desires of your flesh. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Think only on the things that God wants you to think upon, and replace any evil thought with those outlined in Philippians 4:8. Stay focused on God and abide in Him, and in His word. You will have perfect peace.
In Part I of this devotional, we looked at the three continual variables that each of us will have to face each and every day we live here on earth. These three things are used in combination to tempt us to sin. These three things are the flesh, the world, and the devil.
In Part II we will take a look at how these 3-things are used together to make that perfect combination that all too frequently causes us to loose focus and to stumble.
The devil uses the weakness of our flesh and the temptations of this world to snare us and he does this by primarily focusing on the weaknesses that we all possess in our flesh.
Let's take a look at 3 weaknesses and we will see exactly how they worked on Eve as recorded in the scriptures above. We will also then see how they're still working on us.
1.The lust (desire) of the Eyes: Eve looked upon the tree in the garden and saw that it was pleasant to her eyes. The devil continues to use this trap to try and get people to entertain fantasies in their thought life.
We need to be careful of what we allow into our minds. And one of the ways we can do this is by keeping our eyes on the Lord, and off the things that might cause us to stumble. It can start as casual gaze, and then become a fixed stare. When we realize that we are looking at something and it is causing us to think of things that are not lovely, pure, noble or honorable, then we need to take our eyes off of it, and put them back on the Lord, and His Word.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. Psalms 119:37 (NKJV)
2.The Lust (desire) of the Flesh: Eve looked upon the tree and saw that it "was good for food." So, after first seeing it, and lusting after it, she now tasted it. In the same manor, Satan wants us to gratify our lustful desires that start with our looking upon something; he now wants us to partake in it physically. It doesnt matter what it is. It can be tempting us to sleep from laziness, excessive or unhealthy eating, fulfilling legitimate sexual needs illegitimately, or obtaining coveted items improperly, and so on.
The problem of us entertaining fantasies in our thought life is that they can lead to our actually carrying out these evil thoughts and they can become reality. The worldly view is that we should get whatever it is that we desire, but this isnt Gods view. We must capture these thoughts when they start. Bring them captive, and replace them with something that is healthy and righteous.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)
3.The Pride of Life: Satan tempted Eve in an area that we are all vulnerable, and that is our pride. He told her that once she ate the fruit, your eyes would be open, and that she would be like God, knowing good and evil.
Pride was the downfall of Satan, and it is the downfall of mankind. When we dare to think that our way is better than Gods way, or when we begin to think that we dont need God or His mercy, we are on the road to destruction. And we must understand that we have given our life right to the one who felt the same way, and that is Satan himself.
Its like this, God is good, and His ways are perfect. Anything other than His ways are not in his will, and that constitutes sin. We dont make our decisions because society is doing it a particular way. And we dont make our decisions based on how we feel we should do something. And if we resist Gods wisdom and justify any other way of living our life, we are simply searing the conscious in pride and walking in sin.
James quotes the proverbs when he tells us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
For all that is in the worldthe lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of lifeis not of the Father but is of the world. 1John 2:16 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, lets not fall into the same old, same old patterns of falling for the same temptations that have been working since the Garden of Eden. Lets seek the wisdom of the Lord, and choose, or purpose in our heart to walk with God.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about Satans tactics according to Ecclesiastes 1:9? What can we learn about living our lives according to the other scriptures on this page?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you see where the enemy has used these weaknesses in your flesh to tempt you, and to get you off the path of living righteously?
APPLICATION: Dont listen to the cravings, lusts or desires of your flesh. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Think only on the things that God wants you to think upon, and replace any evil thought with those outlined in Philippians 4:8. Stay focused on God and abide in Him, and in His word. You will have perfect peace.
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