Temptation is always the Enemy’s first line of attack. Before a person gets a Stronghold, they first have to be Tempted. Temptations knows our name and always has a price.
From the beginning, in heaven, Satan tempted one third of the angels to rebel against God and he is doing the same thing today.
Temptation knows when you are:
- Defenseless
- Susceptable
- Vulnerable timing
So, you must be WISE and understand the Weakness in yourself.
- If you need 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, try your best to guard your night hours.
- If you need time to wind down before you deal with a crisis or a problem, give yourself what you need so you are not vulnerable to the enemy.
- If you are in an emotional state, it is best to wait before you make any important decisions.
Remember, the enemy knows YOU. He has studied you and your family for generations so you can be sure he will hit you in ways that are predictable. Just follow the familiar patters and don’t give the enemy grace. Temptation knows how to knock on the door of a soulish man. This is why God commands us to kill the flesh. The Flesh is always willing to give into temptation.
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” Isaiah 54:17
The word ‘formed’ indicates a weapon that is custom made for you. A temptation only words if you are attracted to it. So we must be on the lookout for the tailor-crafted temptation the Enemy has formed just for you. You must Pay Attention to your own personal weaknesses so you can keep your eyes peeled for the Enemy’s attack.
“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
Let’s take a Personal Assessment Break!
Get out your journals and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how the Enemy has tempted you in the past.
To get your mind jogging, I will share how the Enemy has worked in my life:
- I was vulnerable financially. The Enemy tempted me with money.
- I had low self-worth. The Enemy tempted me with making a name for myself.
- I was insecure. The Enemy tempted me with searching for the approval of others.
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
When the devil temps you, pause. Do as Jesus did. He quoted God’s word.
God’s word has the power to bring the Enemy to His knees and I can verify this through my personal experience of having demons expel themselves from my body of their own volition just by me reading the Word of God.
This did not happen by a Priest! Not by Holy Water or even Prayer! It happened from meditating on God’s Word day and night.
“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.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
The same presence that enabled Jesus to resist temptation lives inside of you.
When God convicts, we need to repent rather than justify our actions. Think about a person who says their sorry but makes excuse for it. Do you feel they are really taking accountability for their actions?
The only way we Won’t beat Satan’s temptations, is if we don’t strengthen our areas of weakness. The way we do this is by continually giving them to God. Asking the Lord to help discipline your mind and actions in areas of weakness.
The best way to avoid temptation, is to keep the fire of our Faith Hot!
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich; I have aquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see.” Revelation 3:15-18
Lukewarm Christianity is Believing God, but you aren’t excited anymore.
Prayer against Lukewarm Christianity:
“Heavenly Father,
We praise you God that there is no temptation that happens without a way of escape.
Today, I destroy the plan of the enemy with the power of your truth (your Word) and the Blood of Jesus.
Lord, shake and break the strongholds and bondages that have marked me as weak in the past.
Remove all agreements with any lukewarm spirits. I call my spirit alive and on fire!
I surrender to the Kind and declare that I will finish my race well. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
*A special thanks to John Rameriez and his Fire Course.