Jesus was tempted (Mt. 4:1-11; Heb.4:15). We struggle with temptation. It is simply part of the human condition. Each of us battle inward desires which can bring sin into our lives (Jas. 1:13-15). Satan is the tempter (Mt. 4:3). We must engage him in spiritual warfare by the strength which God supplies (2 Cor. 10-4-6; Eph. 6:10-13). We better get our minds firmly set on the life and death struggle each of us must face or be lost through our own carelessness or neglect!
Satan makes temptation attractive. He sugar-coats sin. He wraps it up in a nice, little package. Sin has pleasures associated with it (Heb. 11:25). These pleasures manifest themselves in many ways. Satan knows that all people are not tempted in the same way. So, like a skillful fisherman, he makes each lure appropriate to the person being tempted. Each person is “tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own desires” (Jas. 1:14). Sin feels good. But, its consequences are heart-breaking (Rm. 6:23).
No one is immune to the evil influence of Satan’s temptation. Deliverance is more than a sentence-prayer (Mt. 6:13). We must not be ignorant of Satan’s schemes against us (2 Cor. 2:11). We must keep watch in prayer (Mt. 26:41). We must treasure up God’s word in our hearts as a safeguard against sin (Ps. 119:11). We must trust God completely rather than lean on our own strength (Prov. 3:5). We cooperate in the process of deliverance by making firm resolutions (e.g. Dan. 1:8); by putting ourselves in the company of those who will encourage right choices (Heb. 10:23-25); and, by fleeing before temptation has opportunity to ensnare us in its web (2 Tim. 2:22). Above all, remember that God is faithful and will provide the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). Deliverance is ours through faith in Christ Jesus (1 Jn. 5:4; Rm. 8:37).
— Glen Elliott —