Overcoming your Temptations.

The Apostle constructs numerous churches, the Prophet prophesies with precision, the Evangelist converts many souls, the Pastor leads God’s congregation, and the teacher imparts knowledge with enlightening words. Despite the varying levels of anointing in which they may operate, none are exempt from the temptations of Satan.

It is possible for individuals in these roles to be enticed into mishandling church funds or manipulating God’s people to sow seeds for their own enrichment.

One may be enticed by sexual desire, a tactic possibly orchestrated by Satan to profane or violate the sacred inner being of the minister who is considered the temple of God.

Satan frequently lays snares through enticement in order to tarnish the reputation of the minister of the Lord and the church, which is metaphorically referred to as the bride of Christ. Temptation manifests in various guises, often appearing enticing to the human eye, though frequently cloaked in deception.

Satan invariably isolates individuals before enticing them with temptation, leading to the birth of sin once succumbed to, as indicated in James 1:14.
The scripture in Romans 2:11 clearly states that God shows no partiality. Similarly, Satan does not discriminate based on one’s position or title. Regardless of one’s societal standing or anointing, yielding to temptation will tarnish integrity, trust, and morality within the community one is meant to influence as instructed by God.

Defining Temptations

The late Dr. Myles Munro once said that, “Temptation means to test for weakness in a person”.

Temptation can be defined as “a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals” .

According to the Bible, Jesus was deliberately taken into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan in three distinct instances (Luke 4:1-14). Following His successful resistance and victory over Satan, the Bible states that He returned imbued with the STRENGTH of the Spirit (Luke 4:14). This indicates that Jesus was tested in order to assess any vulnerability in his body, soul, and spirit. Upon finding no weakness in Him, He was duly recognized and confirmed as possessing POWER in the Spirit (Luke 4:14).

In the passage of Luke 4:1-14, Jesus imparted insights on the methods through which individuals can successfully navigate their temptations. During each instance of being tempted, He adamantly declared, “It is written,” relying on the wisdom found within the scriptures. His ability to triumph over these trials stemmed from His deep-seated knowledge of and adherence to the teachings of the Bible. By internalizing the Word of God, He was empowered to overcome the advances of Satan and emerge victorious from these challenges. This underscores the significance of the Biblical proclamation, “Thy Word have I hidden in my heart so that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).

In Luke 4:1-14, Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days, tempted by Satan. He overcame and exited the wilderness in the power of the Spirit. Moses also isolated himself on two separate occasions during a 40-day fast and returned with the Ten Commandments, which have impacted the whole world (Exodus 24:38, Deuteronomy 9:1-11). During this season of isolation, if you yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who can empower you to overcome temptations and use your time wisely, when this season is over, you will return in the power of the Spirit.

One of the directives given to us by the Lord to overcome our temptations is found in Matthew 26:41: “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Prayerlessness weakens the body and soul (mind, will, and emotions) and can cause one to yield to Satan’s schemes. A prayerful Christian (one who prays the Scriptures effectually and fervently) and who walks in obedience to the principles of the Word of God is someone that Satan dreads. Why? Because that believer reminds Satan of the Lord Jesus Christ. That believer will always triumph and prevail against his schemes.

All of your temptations must be restricted through the Holy Scriptures. Satan is not afraid of your words; he is afraid of God’s Word spoken out of the mouths of His obedient servants. Satan is not afraid of you; he is afraid of the Spirit of Christ who resides inside you (the Holy Spirit). Hence, the Bible says that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Meditating in the Bible and be a doer of the Word. Walk faithfully in the Word; let the Word become part of your thought pattern. Let the nature of the Holy Spirit permeate your being. Let the principles of the Word of God be your guide, your shield, and your protection, and then you will experience a great and triumphant victory over the schemes and temptations of Satan.

Author Andrew A Osei