Monday, September 22, 2025

            Paul addressed the matter of temptation in 1 Corinthians 10:13. He gave us a sturdy promise that we can trust when the enemy places temptations and evil before us.  He wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  A few important truths stand out for us. 
            First, temptation to sin is a reality.  We all deal with the evil that the enemy places before us.  No one is immune.  You may recall that even Jesus was tempted.  So too was David—a man after God’s own heart.  Second, temptations are fairly common.  The devil really does not have to resort to supercharged temptations to get us to fail or to sin.  Most of what we are tempted to do is in the context of everyday life—cheating on taxes in April, a student cheating on a test, padding a bill for work that was not done and visiting sinful places online.  Satan simply exploits the many ordinary things we do each day.  Third, Paul promised God’s protection over His people so that they are not tempted beyond what they can bear or withstand.  God knows our boundaries and limits.  As the Bible says, God remembers that we are formed from dust (Psalm 103:14).  He does not allow Satan to trespass against those limits.  Take heart in knowing that you already possess the power to resist the enemy’s temptations.  Say no and order him to flee.
            In a sermon preached way back on June 9, 1957, A.W. Tozer addressed the matter of temptation.  He compared Satan’s approach to temptation to the way a baseball pitcher faces a batter.  Tozer wrote, “A pitcher does not start throwing when the first inning begins and throw the same ball in the same place for nine innings.  He mixes them up.  The batter never knows where the pitch is going to appear.  First up, then down, then in, then out, then low, then fast, then down the middle.  It is the absence of uniformity that makes the pitcher effective.”  Satan tries to fool and frustrate us with a similar strategy of irregularity and unpredictability.  He may never tempt or attack us in the same way twice in the same day. 
            Tozer went on to say that in the case of Jesus’ temptations, Satan fled after three temptations presented to the Lord.  The strategy was to get the Lord Jesus to drop His guard or perhaps get lulled into a sense of complacency.  It might be safe and sound theology to presume that Satan is always doing one of three things—tempting, plotting or waiting for an opening.  Wear the armor of God in Ephesians 6.  Pray without ceasing.  Let God’s Word be a lamp for your feet and a light for your pathways each day.  And, as Peter wrote, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  When you pray, pray with anticipation.  Know that Satan is prowling, plotting and planning.  But take comfort in the ultimate victory already won at the cross by Christ.  Enforce that victory against Satan when he tempts you. Have a great Monday!