“For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father…” 1 John 2:16 (NKJV)
The enemy attacks the righteous and the unrighteous using the same methods of temptation. His tactics of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are his universal tricks. He used them on Eve and succeeded. He tried them on Jesus but failed. Jesus, our Redeemer, showed us how to escape the enemy’s deceit.
After Jesus had fasted for forty days, He was hungry. Knowing this, the devil went to Him for the sole purpose of tempting Him. Jesus overcame by quoting from the Word of God for every form of deceit that the devil used (Matthew 4:1-11). God’s Word has not changed and never will. In Psalm 119:9-11 (NKJV), we read, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word….Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” This is how we escape the devil and his deceit.
The enemy has changed his methods but not his format. Today, he is using what is trending in the world. In this twenty-first century, the flesh is crying out for money and material things. Our eyes cause us to see the glitter that is not gold, our neighbour’s possessions, skin colour, ethnicity, and the lies on social media. Pride definitely comes before a fall.
One’s desire to move to the top is not wrong, but doing it through dishonest means is disastrous and harmful. Disregard for the poor and the powerless as a leader causes pain and untold hardships to families. All these forms of lust work against the fulfilment of obeying God’s commandments. The enemy’s plan is to steal, kill, and destroy all that God has created.
God, however, is not willing that anyone should perish, that is why He came as the living sacrifice, in human form, to be touched by the feeling of our infirmities. He also provides a way out of every temptation that is common to man (1 Corinthians 10:13 – NKJV). He is faithful. He is never surprised by what is happening in the world. He knows the beginning and the end and has prepared everything from creation with His divine power. We, in turn, need to read, meditate, and obey His whole counsel and draw strength to overcome.
Read: Psalm 119:2-3; 2 Peter 1:3
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 21:27-31; Proverbs 22:1-6; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Isaiah 8:11-22; Isaiah 9; Isaiah 10:1-19
