TEMPTATION

TEMPTATION

"THEN JESUS WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT into the wilderness TO BE TEMPTED THERE BY THE DEVIL."
Matthew 4:1 (NLT)

• Then Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil.

• The truth is, As it did happen to Jesus, God might allow you to be led into some places to be tempted, persecuted, or tried by the devil and those who are loyal to him.
• Jesus did not go into the wilderness by Himself, He was led to go there. Some have the notion that If you are led to do a particular thing, by God, you would not encounter any problem in doing it.
• If you are under the leading of the Holy Spirit, you should not be afraid; however, you may encounter problems in a bid to do God's Will—but you will overcome whatever the problem. You may be tempted in your assignment. Temptation is not a Sin, but falling into it is a Sin.
• Temptations are part of the growth process designed and usually permitted by God to know those who are serious with their Christian faith. You will be allowed to go through tests from the devil:
  9 SATAN REPLIED TO THE LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 BUT REACH OUT AND TAKE AWAY EVERYTHING HE HAS, AND HE WILL SURELY CURSE YOU TO YOUR FACE!” 12 “ALL RIGHT, YOU MAY TEST HIM,” THE LORD SAID TO SATAN. “DO WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH EVERYTHING HE POSSESSES, BUT DON'T HARM HIM PHYSICALLY.” SO SATAN LEFT THE LORD'S PRESENCE" (Job 1:9-12).
• This mainly is meant to know how strong you are and If you actually can be trusted with certain responsibility.
• If you are facing trials because of your faith, do not be discouraged, God knows about It (James 1:2,3). You will not fail or fall in the traps of Temptations in Jesus' name.

• If Jesus could be allowed to be tempted, then there is no one that could not be tempted. Even the Bible says Jesus learned Obedience through what He suffered: "JESUS IS GOD'S OWN SON, BUT STILL HE HAD TO SUFFER BEFORE HE COULD LEARN WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO OBEY GOD" (Hebrews 5:8
Contemporary English Version).

• Some Believers think that suffering is a Curse. Some also think engaging in a fast, or the denying of your flesh of certain comforts, is a kind of suffering or a sign of being cursed or rejected by God:
  12 DEAR FRIENDS, DON'T BE SURPRISED AT THE FIERY TRIALS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, AS IF SOMETHING STRANGE WERE HAPPENING TO YOU. 13 INSTEAD, BE VERY GLAD—FOR THESE TRIALS MAKE YOU PARTNERS WITH CHRIST IN HIS SUFFERING, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 IF YOU ARE INSULTED BECAUSE YOU BEAR THE NAME OF CHRIST, YOU WILL BE BLESSED, FOR THE GLORIOUS SPIRIT OF GOD RESTS UPON YOU. 15 IF YOU SUFFER, HOWEVER, IT MUST NOT BE FOR MURDER, STEALING, MAKING TROUBLE, OR PRYING INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S AFFAIRS. 16 BUT IT IS NO SHAME TO SUFFER FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN. PRAISE GOD FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING CALLED BY HIS NAME!" (1 Peter 4:12-16 NLT).

• When Paul had an encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus which led to his conversion—salvation (Acts 9:1-9).

• Jesus said about Paul to Ananias, the disciple who was sent to him in order to pray for him and receive his sight:
  15 BUT THE LORD [Jesus] SAID TO HIM [Ananias], “GO, FOR HE [Paul] IS A CHOSEN VESSEL OF MINE TO BEAR MY NAME BEFORE GENTILES, KINGS, AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. 16 FOR I WILL SHOW HIM HOW MANY THINGS HE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME'S SAKE" (Act 9:15,16 NKJV).
• Suffering for the gospel, or the things of the Kingdom, is not a thing to be sorrowed about (2 Timothy 1:11,12; 1 Peter 4:12-16).
• Apostle Paul passed through a lot, in a bid to fulfil the call of God on his life. He never bemoaned his condition once, he saw all that happened to him as a necessity:
  "FOR IF I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I HAVE NOTHING TO BOAST OF, FOR NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME [Paul]; YES, WOE IS ME IF I DO NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL!" (1 Corinthians 9:16 NKJV).

9 FOR I THINK THAT GOD HAS DISPLAYED US, THE APOSTLES, LAST, AS MEN CONDEMNED TO DEATH; FOR WE HAVE BEEN MADE A SPECTACLE TO THE WORLD, BOTH TO ANGELS AND TO MEN.
10 WE ARE FOOLS FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, but you are wise in Christ! WE ARE WEAK, but you are strong! You are distinguished, BUT WE ARE DISHONORED!
11 TO THE PRESENT HOUR WE BOTH HUNGER AND THIRST, AND WE ARE POORLY CLOTHED, AND BEATEN, AND HOMELESS.
12 AND WE LABOUR, WORKING WITH OUR OWN HANDS. BEING REVILED, WE BLESS; BEING PERSECUTED, WE ENDURE;
13 BEING DEFAMED, WE ENTREAT. WE HAVE BEEN MADE AS THE FILTH OF THE WORLD, THE OFFSCOURING OF ALL THINGS UNTIL NOW."
1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (NKJV)

• One thing is sure, because God is a just God, He would not allow you to be tempted or be exposed to the trials which could not be handled by you:
  "THE ONLY TEMPTATION THAT HAS COME TO YOU IS THAT WHICH EVERYONE HAS. BUT YOU CAN TRUST GOD, WHO WILL NOT PERMIT YOU TO BE TEMPTED MORE THAN YOU CAN STAND. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO GIVE YOU A WAY TO ESCAPE SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAND IT" (1 Corinthians 10:13 New Century Version).
• God knows you can handle that Temptation, that is why He has allowed it. Job was tempted by the devil, under the supervision of God. Whatever the temptation being meted or measured out by the devil on a faithful child of God, such is being supervised by God Himself.
• If you passed the test brought your way by the devil, you are a pride to God and His Kingdom. Afterwards, a greater responsibility would be given to you.

• Every level which you are moved or promoted to, has Its challenges—the confrontations of the adversary, the devil.

• Jesus used the Word of God to flatten, knock down, the devil (Matthew 4:4,7,10). You had to be strong in the Word of God, fastings and prayers.
• The decision and choice to do God's Will would provoke the devil to challenge and fight you (2 Timothy 3:12).
• Whenever a decision to live for God is made; to separate or consecrate yourself, pray and fast, the devil would surface to resist, fight, and attempt to stop you.
• If you are not strong in the Word of God, If the devil surfaces, how would you handle him?
  THE devil has set to rise against those who are loyal to God and His Kingdom:
  "AND THE DRAGON [the devil or Satan] WAS WROTH WITH THE WOMAN, AND WENT TO MAKE WAR WITH THE REMNANT OF HER SEED, WHICH KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST" (Revelation 12:17 NKJV).
• Resist the devil in whatever test, or Temptation, brought your way (James 4:7).
• Do not give up. Promotion and Blessings would be your lot when you overcome (1 Peter 5:9,10).

• You will not be a disappointed to God and His Kingdom on Earth in Jesus' name.

• Whatever is contrary to your health is cursed in Jesus' mighty name.
• I declare an end to your afflictions and sicknesses in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!