Temptation is one of those things that we either have a hard time resisting or are able to overcome because of the armor in our life. It all depends upon what we are actively doing and how our hearts are molded for God, is if we will have power to withstand even the presence of sin. When Satan comes to try us, he knows our greatest weaknesses and what our flesh enjoys and craves the most. He then deploys specific thoughts into our minds and our hearts, that we are familiar with or are related to something we just saw or heard. Our lust is then stimulated, in order for us to respond favorably to the request. This, the devil does in order to see God’s faithful fall flat on our faces. He enjoys it very much when a man or woman of God falls victim to pornography, sex outside of marriage, masturbation, lust, drinking, doing drugs, coveting, lying, stealing, or even have an abortion. Each one of these evil deeds come from the devil himself. He knows how this affects God, for He grieves when people are committing these sins. Surely, His wrath is increased upon such people. Therefore seeing people do such horrific things, the Lord hates, while Satan loves it. Please know that if I mentioned a specific sin above, it is because these sins are prevalent in our day that we live in. The most popular of these sins being pornography. Porn is being accessed more than anything else on the internet and is killing the souls of every believer in Christ that partakes in it. It is deadly in how it takes people down left and right, while leaving them often unrepentant before death.
If you are wondering how pornographic temptations begins, it is simple. All Satan has to do is use an Ad with an image and some perverse words in it and he has his victim hook and sinker. No average person can resist this unless they have armor. And when I say armor, I mean the armor of God. Without this protection, people will continue to fall, one by one, and go to hell when they die. I know this to be true, since I am a victim of these same temptations. Like anyone else, I am unable to deflect the imagery that is put in my head, unless God has my hand. Without daily prayer and reading the Bible, I would never have the strength to resist the way I have. It is the Lord that puts a hedge of protection in my life, that this type of sin and others will not enter. This is because I have heeded what Paul has said, when He taught, 1“my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10,11) He goes on and says that God’s truth is what we are built on. This truth comes from studying the Bible, which is our sword against the enemy. Our shield is our faith that will not let us down, even when it is hard. Our feet is on the solid ground of Jesus, and what He did for us on the cross, which is the gospel. We can live differently with Christ in our lives. This happens with much prayer and supplication to God. If you truly desire to be led out of temptation, then allow the Lord to build you up. Then, will you come out of temptation victorious and tell others your story.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will have Your protection in their life. The same way that You have come into my life and have given me a way out of temptation, may others also find the same strength. I know how damaging it is to fall victim to sin on a regular basis, as it draws us further and further away from You, until we are no longer interested in what You have to offer. This is hard to admit Lord, but I know that this has happened to me many times over. Oh, how sorry I am for giving into the flesh, instead of seeking You when I needed You most. I gave into what I know is wrong and I know how this must have affected You. As you grieved for me, I also grieve for how this affected You and our relationship. Truly, my heart loves You and I know that it is hard to see this when I sin. Lord, I don’t wish to have any more barriers between us anymore. Sin has taken a toll on my life and I wish that this will all change now. I confess my sins openly Lord. Cleanse me and fill me up with Your strength. May I become strong in what You desire in my life. Lead me away from sin and into Your love. I desire what is good and what is holy and that can only come from You. Cast out any darkness that is left in my life and lead me fully into Your light. I love You more than anything that the world has to offer me. There is no temporary satisfaction in You. Everything I thought was good is flipped upside down when You are in my life. There is so more joy and happiness when I am on Your righteous path. Nothing temporary is found here, but eternal joy. Thank You Jesus. Oh, how I need You, all the days of my life. You are my King and I worship You. Take my life, for it is Yours. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Ephesians 6 (KJV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
