Isaiah 59:19 says, “So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun, for He will come like a rushing stream which the wind of the Lord drives.” (NASB2020)
I rather like the simplicity of the NLT in this verse: “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”
As followers of Jesus, we are-or should be-keenly aware of our enemy’s tactics. His desire is to control us, or at least to compromise us so much that the effectiveness of our testimony is gone.
I was reading just this morning from I Cor. 10. After writing about the Israelites and their sin, Paul says some very poignant words to his readers (us). Please take a moment and read verses 11-13 right now.
We can choose to be a pawn in Satan’s grip or to be a vessel under control of the Master Commander. We can choose to give in to the temptation or we can choose to trust and rely on the One who changes lives.
In Mark 5 we read the story of a man who was under the control of the master deceiver. Uncontrollable. Unchained by people but chained to a cruel slave master. Then he met Jesus who righted the wrong and broke the chains that enslaved that man’s heart and life. I like what it says about him when the townspeople came out to see what happened: “He was sitting down, clothed and in his right mind.” (5:15)
I heard someone once say, “It is true God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. It is also true that Satan hates you and has a horrible plan for your life.”
Jesus can transform any life. I know. I’m one.
I think you hit the nail on the head Bill… It is a choice, a constant choice, a choice that must be made second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, etc. We can choose to follow God’s plan or our plan… Which most likely a plan Satan has placed in our heads to deceive, damage, and destroy us and others. I must lean on the end of verse 13… But when I am tempted, God will also provide a way out so I can endure it.
You made a great point Ryan and a good observation. Satan’s plan is to deceive, damage or destroy us. And as you state, even when tempted God is there to bail us out if needed.
I like that Ryan described this as a constant choice, because it is. Each day, I have to consciously surrender myself to God’s will, and to do my best to follow His lead.
Blessings, Bill!
I agree Martha. it is a conscious choice we have to make.
Temptations are going to come into our lives, we can not control that, however we can control on how we respond to the temptation. In order to resist the temptation we need to lean on God, He will be there to help, if we try to resist on our own means the devil will defeat us. Its important to remember that God loves us and wants what is best for us, He is always faithful. The devil is only looking out for himself, and just wants to destroy our relationship with God. Temptations are always the devil’s doing, God is not out to trip us up. God may give us a trial, but He will not give us temptations just to watch us fall. The key is to never walk alone, and keep your focus on God, who can and will help as soon as you ask.
Very true Gail. Many followers of Jesus want to blame God by saying, “Why did God do this to me?” “Why did He let Satan tempt me?” He didn’t. James says God is the author of every good and perfect gift. Never the wrong. Thanks for seeing it and saying it for what it is.