Good morning,
The fall of man in Genesis 3 caused a ripple effect. We battle wickedness, temptation, and evil daily. Psalm 143:3-4 frames the problem.
“For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”
The Psalmist knows where to turn. He cries out to the Lord. Psalm 141:1-4 is the request for help.
“Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.”
He continues in verses 8-10. He focuses on the one who can fix the problem. God can protect, guard, and keep us from giving in to temptations.
“But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.9 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.”
When we are tempted by the enemy, we have a choice to make. Do we give in to the temptation or cry out to the Lord for deliverance? God wants to hear from us.
James 4:7-8, gives us a simple solution.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
Did you know that Satan is a defeated foe? Colossians 2:6-15, explain how and why he has been defeated. This is why we can live the Christian life in victory.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:12 Buried with him in baptism, herein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Christ was triumphant over sin. Satan is defeated. When we choose to walk according to His Word, we may live a victorious Christian life. Satan will continue to tempt us because he wants us to choose to do evil. It is our choice to do evil.
Rejoice in all that God has done for you. Do not live a defeated Christian life. Live triumphant in the knowledge that Christ has overcome the adversary, Satan.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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