Tempter

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:

James 1:13

 

 

Challenge God’s people on their beliefs, criticize their actions, and then sit back and see what happens. That’s what the devil’s workers will do to you if you aren’t too careful, tempt you to sin. Before long, you are wondering why do you believe what you believe?

When Eve was tempted in the garden by the serpent one of the first things he did was put doubt in her mind about what God had forewarned about eating the forbidden fruit. The critic will tempt you to sin by first making you doubt what you believe. “Are you sure? That’s not what she meant. Maybe you misunderstood...Go on, try it. It won’t hurt. I got your back.” The critic comes up with many so-called comforting statements to get you to go along with whatever plan that leads you away from righteousness.

I had my share of tempting situations some I passed while others I didn’t. In every situation, there was always someone who would give me a long list of reasons as to why something would be good for me. If it wasn’t a man tempting me to go out with him or a woman trying to sell me something, this business of what was good for me always came up.

Relatives typically use “the good for you” speeches. “Try doing that, it might be good for you. I only want what’s best for you.” Of course, many of those individuals closest to you do want what is best for you. Some more than others, because they hope to benefit from your blessings.

As we all know tempting situations can destroy a man or woman trying to live right for the Lord. Jesus was tempted by Satan in the dessert (Matthew 4:1). Notice when you read this passage of Scripture he is led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan. So does God, at times, lead us into situations where we can be tempted by the devil? Some believers disagree. You decide.

Have you ever made up in your mind you were going to do something for God, family, an employer, or someone else and then along comes all sorts of distractions? You get tempted by this opportunity. You get drawn into this event. You find yourself frequently thinking about something that you shouldn’t. Sometimes we refuse the trappings of the tempter that keep us from meeting our goals. But other times, we fall right into them!

Tempting situations don’t always come in those popular scenes we see on TV or read in a book like the damsel in distress or the handsome man who comes to the rescue in those scenarios. But sometimes temptation comes in subtle ways such as: money left sitting on a countertop, an opportunity to tell someone off, or a situation that makes one feel guilty afterward. Tempting circumstances can bring out the worst in people. Some people beat themselves up because they didn’t do certain things not realizing that God kept them out of the fire. Others blame loved ones for not encouraging them to do some things that could have very well caused all sorts of havoc in the family. However, those who do act on temptation they are faced with all sorts of consequences as a result of a few minutes of pleasure, fast money, or something else that causes much havoc on one's personal or professional life.

People who tempt you away from the Lord are not of God. People who tempt you to draw near to the Lord are God’s children. Sure, there are those tempting offers that are about building people up. From job offers to relationships, there are different people, places and things that God puts in our path that help us out. But we must trust in the Lord to ensure that these blessings are really just that blessings and not counterfeit ones that are really created to hurt believers while building Satan and his demons up.

Many tempting offers cross the doorsteps of churches all across our nations. Ministers get persuaded to open the doors of their congregation to people who are not about helping God’s people as much as they are about making money off of God’s people.  These deceiving speakers, teachers, and other guests are presented in front of the church congregation as experts, reputable, honest, and true.

Not long after emotional speeches, a few disturbing images, and prayers for certain members in the audience, a guest speaker is taking up an offering while promising that church members will be blessed for their generosity. Now I’m not saying that every visiting speaker is up to no good at one’s church, but what I am saying is that before you are tempted to share your money, consider who is this person and why has he or she appeared out of no where to minister in the place of your shepherd.

Sometimes there are deals behind the scenes that leaders create with guest speakers that if the congregation only knew, they would never consider sharing their money. Ask God to reveal to you the truth and trust that he will bless you whether you give to a certain man or woman or not. Sometimes our blessings come not because we act or don't act on a temptation to give to someone, but when we sit quietly and just listen to what the Holy Spirit tells us.

It is very tempting to want to argue with others about why we believe what we believe. Our faith is important to us, but we need not prove it to those who are mockers of God (Jude 1:18). We must be confident in who we are in Christ and know that when our lives come to an end, all that really matters is Jesus saying, “…Well done my good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21).

God, to some critics, is like an automobile that some want to test drive. It looks nice, someone has said it drives well, and someone else has talked about the reaction he or she has received when buying one. So now the critic wants to see for his or her self. Knowing full well, it is a great car, he or she will bad mouth it simply because he or she can’t afford the sticker price.

Those that choose not to believe in God can’t afford the sacrifice that comes with serving him. They don’t want their comfortable worlds shaken up with truth. These are the same people who talk about how they “wish that would happen…wish they could go here…wish that some would do this or that for them…” but they aren’t willing to give up comfort for a periodic discomfort.

So they may take God and his people for a test ride, but when it comes to actually sitting down and doing something, “No thanks, God is for you, but not for me.” Meanwhile, they will tempt the one who is sold out for God, because the unbeliever isn’t convinced of the believer’s commitment to the Lord. However, the Holy Bible warns us to, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” according to James 4:7.

Jesus was tempted by the devil after fasting for 40 days in the Book of Luke 4:2. Had Jesus been the type of person who simply took God for a test ride, he might not have stood strong against the devil’s tests. After the devil tempted Jesus unsuccessfully the Bible says he left him until an opportune time.

Free-spirited critics try out God like trying on a pair of clothes.

The tempter, who makes a career out of tempting others to do things whether they want to or not, is usually in a crisis or in some kind of situation he or she can’t see any way out. From bills that need to be paid to potential jail time, the free-spirited critic reluctantly asks others to pray for him or her.  Then this person will possibly start attending church during a crisis. However, once the tempted one has no need for God or his people, the individual stops attending church and listening to believers like he or she once did when they were feeling down.

Christian biblical teachings and church attendance is nothing but a good idea for the tempter who believes in God, a god or many gods, but doesn’t want to do much else. Church attendance is a thing to pass the time away for critics, distract them from issues, or a “pick me up” for some, but nowadays with so many of the biblical Scriptures disappearing out of pastoral speeches, people aren’t experiencing life-long changes. The tempter isn’t interested in making biblical teachings a way of life for the rest of his or her years. A Christ follower should refrain from being disappointed when the critic’s interest in your church and God’s teachings plummets before you can even ask if he or she has a middle name.

When dealing with one who is tempting you to be rebellious toward God or do something out of character, stand up for your beliefs.  Reieterate your point.  If he or she insists you do what he or she asks, don't.  Walk away, find some help, pray, but don't fall for anything that you know God would not be pleased about.  Your anointing costs far too much to lose!

Solution:

Just because a tempter will go to church with you this week doesn’t mean that they will continue to do so. To avoid feelings of disappointment, don’t assume that you have impacted them so much that they will keep coming rather pray for them and let God move on their spirit.

A look back…

Do you recall the times when you experienced low points in your life before you took God at his word? You may have been open to hear what a parent, relative, friend or even a stranger had to say about changes you needed to make in your life to find the peace and joy you so desperately desired. Then after you felt better again, you didn’t want to allow anyone anymore access to your private life.

Scripture Reference

Matthew 23:14

Romans 3: 6-8

James 4:4

Romans 12: 1-2

Isaiah 26:3

Colossians 3: 2-5

1 Peter 2:2

2 Peter 3:18

2 Peter 1:4

Prayer

Dear Lord be with _____________ may he/she believe once again in the power of your word. May he/she be led by someone or something that will bring him/her into a true relationship with you. Bind the enemy who distracts this person’s mind from you and cause he/she to experience your presence again in Jesus name, amen.