December 9 The Tempter’s Taunting 1 Corinthians 10:13
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “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, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
It is a fact of a TRUE Follower of Christ, that the more that you Represent the Good News of Jesus, the more that Satan will challenge and taunt you! Amazingly, with just enough of the scriptures to add legitimacy to the challenge, Satan will attempt to squelch your message and witness. In this season of Good Will towards Men and the idea of giving, watch out for the taunting of Satan as you share the Good News. Every one of us experience tempting and distractions and challenges in this world, however, God has provided a way to escape the temptations and taunting from the Devil! The amazing and precious practice and privilege of PRAYER is our method and promise of victory over the Evil One! Recently, I visited the home of one of my great Uncles and the farm was in a state of decay. He always took pride in the “Hand Cut” wooden fencing that encircled his property. There it was, the fence was falling down and the grass and weeds and underbrush were taking over the beautiful farm. I had a moment of worship, right then and there. If we are to win the battle of taunting’s and temptations, we have to PRAY and to keep our SPIRITUAL FENCES UP! We have to PRAY and FENCE out Greed, Prejudice, Selfishness, Fear, Doubt, and anything that would lead to SPIRITUAL POVERTY. When we PRAY and FENCE in FAITH, TRUTH, LOVE, and CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, we are in position to experience HIS SPIRITUAL POWER AND PROSPERITY! In 1 Peter 5:8, the scriptures clearly tell us that the Devil is going about “AS A ROARING LION…SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR!” Can we conquer Satan’s Taunting’s and Temptations without PRAYER? The answer is an emphatic “NO!” PRAY, lest you enter into temptation. PRAY, lest you let the, tempter deceive you! “Watch and pray, that ye enter NOT into temptation!” (Matthew 26:41) Living for Jesus is not an easy task; however, it offers the greatest rewards. Please be ready, fortified and prayed up to face the onslaught of Satan and His Minions. There is no doubt about their task, and there is no doubt about our response! Christmas time and every day, for the rest of your earthly life, remember this: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” (James 1:12) The more that I share the Love of God and the more that I proclaim the Love of Jesus and that selfless and unmerited act at Calvary, I am facing greater and greater opposition and push back from Satan and His Minions. Taunting’s from within and without, challenges from unlikely sources and some are direct and full frontal assaults! So, what am I to do? PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!! A dear friend and fellow Follower of Christ shared a statement that my Daddy used to tell me about the taunting’s and temptations of the Devil, and it reminded me of my responsibilities and my SPIRITUAL POSITION: “The dogs will bark, but this caravan is moving on!!!” Remember, as a Representative of Christ, you WILL face opposition, so, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, then, PRAY some more! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
(REMEMBER, those that want to be offended by God’s Truth, will always be offended! You do what God has called you to do and walk in obedience and HE will see us through!)