═══════════════════════

Msg #541                Wed, January 14, 2009

To subscribe to these weekly devotions,

send an email to: eedify@calvaryroswell.com

═══════════════════════

 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;

but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted

beyond what you are able… (1 Co 10:13)

Beware of lies….Beware of the Liar! 

We have an enemy of our soul, satan, who is a liar.  Jesus spoke of him this way:

When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources,

for he is a liar and the father of it. (Jn 8:44)

In Genesis 3, we see his work with Eve – through lies leading her into sin.  What satan began then….he has been doing ever sense.   His great tool – deception, lies.  Today, in our verse above – I want to point out two great lies the enemy uses against us – and press past the smoke of his lies to the truth of God!   

Lie #1 – You are alone.  The lie satan perpetrates is that the temptations you are facing are somehow unique, than no one is facing the things that you are.  Satan's tactic is to isolate us.  He whispers in our ears things like this: "No one is as bad as I am", "No one struggles like I do", “What I am going through is different…I am different than other people are”.  Such thoughts as these and many more seek to make us feel that our predicament is unique…and it is a lie.   

The truth is – your temptations are normal.  That is what it says:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man

The temptations that you are struggling with today are what we are all struggling with – they are common.  How is this true?  Think about it this way.  In 1 John 2:16 it tells us that there are three categories of temptations.

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

So…every single person struggles with three things:

• Lust of the flesh – desires, cravings, what our flesh wants
• Lust of the eyes – covetousness, looking on with delight
• Pride of life – selfishness, arrogance, exalting self

If you could view these almost as fractions – it is as if these are the common denominators of every temptation.   For an interesting study, look at Genesis 3 and see these three in Eve’s temptation, then look at Matt 4 and see these three in Jesus’ temptation.  The numerators change – but not the common denominators.  We don’t all struggle with the same numerators, but all with the same fundamental things.

Everyone struggles with lusts of the flesh – sinful desires.  This includes things like adultery, fornication, pornography, homosexuality, gluttony and the like.  The specifics of we struggle with are different – but it is all lust of the flesh. 

Everyone struggles with the lusts of the eyes – covetousness.  We may covet different things like money, jewels, cars, houses, gadgets and more – but all are tempted in some way by covetousness.

Everyone struggles with the pride of life – with exalting themselves.  The places pride pulls is may be in business or athletics or appearance or in friendships or even in ministry - but the common denominator is pride.

The truth is  - we all struggle with the same temptations…different specifics, but the same temptations…you are not unique, your temptations are not unique!  

Lie #2 – your temptations are too hard.  The lie is that somehow it is just too difficult to resist the temptations in your life.  Maybe something in your past or something in your DNA or something in your situation…the lie is, we cannot resist the temptation….it is a lie. 

The truth is – it is not too hard.  I can say that, for the very reason our verse says it – God’s faithfulness.

but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted

beyond what you are able

If the hope of this promise was related to you or I – then it would be questionable.  But the solidness is that the promises is firmly rooted in God’s faithfulness.  God promises, by His character, that it is not too hard!

So in summary – the lies are simple and common.  Satan tells us that our temptations are unique and that it is too hard.  God’s truth tells us our temptations are normal  and not too hard.

So here is the question – who are you going to believe?  Are you going to believe your own opinions or the world’s wisdom – fueled by satan’s lies?  Or are you going to believe God’s rock solid truth?

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Jn 8:32)

Jim

═══════════════════════════════════

Wanna Blog??? Have questions or want to comment on this edification?  You can do so at the E-edify Blog.  Go to http://eedify.wordpress.com/

Subscribe??? If you'd like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, e-mail us at eedify@calvaryroswell.com