Being Tempted

Charles Stanley observes in his book "Winning the War Within" that when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he did not rely on his own wit or will power, but rather on the Word of God.

Read Matthew 4:3-11.

If Jesus was tempted in all the ways that we are (confirmed in Hebrews 4:15), and His method was wielding Scripture, then we ought to arm ourselves the same way. Below are recommended Scripture passages to meditate on and memorize. They correspond to common temptations:

Temptation to gossip-- James 1:26
Temptation to lust--- Psalm 119:9; Proverbs 6:24-33; Gal 6:7-8; Col 3:2-3
Temptation to fear-- Psalm 56:3; John 14:1
Temptation to disobey the law-- 1 Peter 2:13-15
Temptation to not do the wise thing-- Eph 5:15-16
Troubled by circumstances-- John 16:33
Temptation to demand your own way-- 1 Cor 6:19-20
Temptation to think you're getting away with sin-- 2 Cor 5:10; Gal 6:7-8

Audibly verbalizing Scripture when tempted is one method that is quite effective... but one must become intimately familiar with God's Word. Suppose I spend 2 hours per day watching television, and 10 minutes per day reading Scripture. Which is going to have a greater impact on my life? Simply making the Word a high priority in our lives will help immensely in our walk.

Hearing God

Have you ever found yourself disagreeing in your heart with God's Word?

1 John 5:3 tells us "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."

I have had no problem being uplifted and encouraged by those words, until I remember the words of Jesus; "You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matt 5:48)

As believers these commands ought to give us joy, since we have overcome the world by the blood of Christ Jesus. The One who called us is faithful and just, and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness... and yet how often does such a command as found in Matthew 5:48 face us with burden? I have found encouragement in considering Daniel:

"Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." Daniel 10:18-19

Notice Daniel was strengthened when the command came to be strong. We find this echoed in the words of Jesus, in the gospel of John:

"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you." John 15:3,4a

Again we find that something becomes so, because of the word he spoke. This should not be too surprising if we consider Genesis. However, in this connection I have considered a fresh way of perceiving God's commands as a believer who has overcome the world already: commands as declarations.

Daniel was touched (as we have been if we're saved), and spoken to. The command served as a declaration, and he was strengthened.

Jesus chose the twelve (as we have been chosen if we're saved), spoke, and the twelve were clean because of the word He spoke.

We who are saved and justified by grace through faith, may be commanded, and provided the fulfillment of that command in one swoop. "Abraham believed Him, and it was credited as righteousness." We may certainly trust in Jesus' work on the cross, and the power of God to raise Him from the dead, to present us holy and blameless on the day of Christ Jesus. It has always been about His work, not ours. His faithfulness. His power. His love. Now.......

"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

It is done, and grace is provided to carry it out! "Now abide in Me, and I in you."

We would do well to meditate on Him alone, and walk in the knowledge of Him.