TARGETED TEMPTATIONS

Recently I was blessed to go back to my home church to see the Easter Production they share with our community each year. This year marked the twenty first year The Promise has been portrayed at Trace Creek.  I’ve seen it very few times over the years. When I attended there I was always in the production. 

Going back I was able to be a recipient of God’s goodness as I watched. I’m always taking notes and in the production of The Promise was no exception.  Yes I made notes in the dark. I didn’t want to miss what God was earmarking to me in the moment!  Make a note ladies! You can grow anywhere and today the Lord shared a few little snippets with me as I sat in the audience.

The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness has always been an ominous scene to me. Our home church shows Satan is lurking in many scenes during The Promise play. This one he was front and center. 
 

The conversation between Jesus and Satan sat differently today than it ever had before.  As I watched this portion of scripture be played out I saw something new.

The enemy targeted the temptation to the moment.

Have you ever noticed when you are tired, scared, worn out, hungry or lonely….the temptation is targeted to appeal to your flesh!!!

Jesus had fasted for forty days and was hungry. So the enemy tried to get Jesus to bow to him using His hunger.  Jesus slams him down. Satan even tempts Him with his own deity offering  to give Him the world if He would bow to Satan.  Note the scriptures below.

Matthew 4:3-10 tells us the tempter even tempts the Son of God. 

Then the devil took Him into the hoy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him. “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will command His angels concerning You”.  and on their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” 

Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, “you shall not put the Lord you God to the test.”  Again the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of this work and their glory; and he said to Him, “All this I will give You if you fall down and worship me.” 

Then Jesus said to him, “Go Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord you God and  serve Him only.”

Beware when you are tired, scared, worn out, hungry or lonely, the enemy will tempt you to lean on your flesh during hardship. It never works. I love what Jesus said, “man, shall not live on bread alone but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”!  The flesh is weak! Feed the Spirit. The flesh has a tendency to cave easily during temptation. 

Beware when you are tired, scared, worn out, hungry or lonely, the enemy will offer things he has no jurisdiction or power to give you!  The enemy offered him the kingdoms of this world. He wanted worship! Jesus slams it down quick. He says, “Go Satan, For it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him alone.” 

Who wants the kingdoms of this world when we are sons and daughters of the True King?  It’s easy when we are completely spent from life to desire some relief from the pressure. Remember the enemy pounces when we are empty and not guarding ourselves. Jesus didn’t fall for it!  We see a great example of how conniving the enemy is but we also see how to answer temptation when it hits at our lowest. 

Beware when you are tired, scared, worn out, hungry or lonely, the enemy will twist scripture to entice you to sin. Better know that word friend!  Jesus answered with scripture every time. The very life blood of the Bible is your weapon. 

He will lay in wait until you are exhausted and empty and he will use the very thing that would snatch you out of the heaviness of the moment…. the flesh always wants an easy out! 

When your flesh needs release…watch out!
The temptation is near.

Just seeing it a fresh today makes me hate him even more.
If he will go after Jesus, he will go after you!  Apart from relationship with Christ, we are easy prey.  Apart from knowing the word and using it as a weapon, I’m doomed!  

Are you tired? 
There is a temptation for that.

Do you feel like you don’t matter?
There is a scheme for that.

Are you lonely? 
There is a person the enemy has lying in wait to fill that void that nothing to do with His kingdom agenda that’s attached to your life.

Do you feel like you have been left out?
The enemy will surely bring one of his teammates to make sure you feel connected. 

Are you exhausted? 
What will he offer you for some rest?

Are you empty? 
He has something to fill you and it’ll wreck your life. 

If you can look back over the timeline of your life and start connecting the dots you will see what “snares” and “cheap thrills” he has offered your flesh that have worked in the past. 

He will use them over and over again until you stop being easy prey!  His job is to devour everything that God loves.  God loves you!  Don’t be easy prey when you are tired. 

Be on guard my friend!
Be on guard!

-Marni