Temptaion Warning System
Automobiles are built with warning lights or gauges to let you know what is going on with your vehicle at all times. They are often called dummy lights because even a dummy should know when the light comes on you need to pull over and check it out. Don’t just keep driving. Here are a few gauges that serve as internal warning lights regarding temptation.
You are being tempted when you start looking at what you cannot have instead of what you can. Just ask Adam & Eve, David, Jesus, and anyone you know who has recently succumbed to temptation. Jesus didn’t succumb but the devil certainly tried to get Him to look at all he could have if disobeyed. The enemy is fully aware of the weakness of our eyes he still uses this tactic today.
You are being tempted when you use the Word to justify your sin. If you catch yourself saying well that is not the way I interpret that—RED FLAG-”Hey dummy pull over.” Its time to check out what is going on inside of you!
2 Cor. 11:14-15 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds
The enemy can make the greatest evil look unbelievably righteous
Finally you are being tempted when you blame other people for your sin. People generally point the finger at someone else after they have succumbed to temptation. You generally say well “If you wouldn’t have done ______ I wouldn’t have done this!” These all serve as warning lights the Holy Spirit uses to enable you to control yourself. Don’t be a dummy, keep an eye on your gauges!
What was God thinking when he created us? You know He could have installed warning lights for us if He wanted to. There is plenty of room on our foreheads for a whole panel of lights. That would have made things so much easier for us. Of course, they didn’t have mirrors, so that wouldn’t have worked; how about on the back of our hands or our finger nails. They could light up when we are tempted. I would go around looking like ET.
Give Satan an inch, he will take a mile. I’m here to tell
you that years in the kingdom’s service does not make him
quit trying. Praise God for his sanctifying power!
Our culture is often discouraging and disheartening. Your last blog mentioned that temptation in and of itself is not a sin. The sin is when we allow that temptation to dwell in our hearts and minds, and then become sin- coveting, serving lesser gods (materialism, vanity, and self seems to be our cultures’ big ones), etc.
My small group has been talking about mental toughness- the Ephesians 6 stuff, and the Revelations message of overcoming and keeping his Work until the end.
We are given clear direction in the Word:
“Repent, and turn yourselves away from your idols, and turn your face from abomination. Cast away from you all transgressions, so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Make yourself a new heart and new spirit, turn yourself, and live.” (excerpts Ezekiel 18)
As Christians, our struggles are most often matters of the heart and mind, but our ability to build his kingdom depends upon our overcoming those struggles through Him.
“As dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor, So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.” Ecclesiastes 10:1
We are not to be self righteous- these things are real and happen to all of us- but we must be uncompromising. Christians are in a battle- for their marriages, their spirits, their influence- and we live in a wicked time. We must never forget the seriousness of his commandments, and the fear of the Lord.