THE DANGERS OF DRINKING

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭23:29-35‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Beer, wine, whiskey—you name it, I don’t need it.  For me, it is not worth the danger.  Some may say they can drink, “socially,” but I cannot.  I am not judging you, but I am judging myself, and as I write I am seeking to lead you to sound judgment.

Clearly, drunkenness is sin.  Scripture forbids it in many places. Before I was saved, I did not drink alcohol because I liked the taste, but to get buzzed. I usually went beyond buzzed to blitzed.  I could have been the poster child for this Proverbs 23:29-35.  That is a matter of wickedness.

When you start down that path, how do you know?  Where is the need to do it?  Why run the risk?  There is the influence you also have on others, and even your family—will they be emboldened to try it, and will they be enticed to drunkenness? That is a matter of wisdom.

So, will I tell you the Bible forbids a beer or a glass of wine?  It does not, but neither does it demand that you do it.  There was a compelling reason for drinking some wine in the New Testament era.  Grape juice would naturally ferment, as they did not have the means to preserve it.  We do not face that issue today. In Bible times, water alone might often be contaminated as they had no means to purify it, except by adding some wine.  Paul told Timothy, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” (1 Tim.5:23). There was a health reason for its use.

What we see in our culture is the celebration and promotion of alcohol that often leads to excess. It is easy to be sucked into that vortex of vice or become a stumbling block to others.  How many broken homes, shattered lives, and deaths on highways result?  Someone near and dear to my heart is in prison now because of drinking and driving, resulting in a death.  I sat in a courtroom and listened to weeping family members speak of the pain of their loved one needlessly killed. 

I would like for you to weigh the wisdom of abstinence from alcohol. Rather than asking the question, “Can I have a drink?” to consider, “Should I?” What is the profit weighed against the peril?  You may come to a different conclusion—some Christians do—but as for me, I just say, “Give me a glass of water,” or “I’ll take a cup of coffee.”  That’s stimulating enough for me.  

THE WAY OF ESCAPE

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Every temptation questions the goodness of God.  We are at a crossroad of decision--to trust or doubt the character of God, to believe in His wisdom or our own, to rely on His gracious hand to provide or take matters into our own hands.  Adam and Eve were persuaded by the Tempter to distrust God's character and disobey His command, and we suffer the horrible consequences of that choice still.  We repeat the same folly far too often.

Understand that the temptation does not always come in the form of some heinous crime or vile debauchery--it may be as subtle as when facing disappointment, disease, or death that we become bitter toward God.  A financial bankruptcy, chronic pain, the death of a child--these and other things will test our faith, and tempt us to doubt God.

Now, the temptation is not a sin.  Jesus was tempted at all points as we are--yet without sin.  The wrestling with the temptation is spiritual warfare, but it is not sin.  Sin is when we surrender--when we embrace Satan's accusation against God.  "You can't trust God.  Why don't you curse Him and die!"

Temptation will often overtake us like that.  We don't have to look for it--it finds us.  Sometimes we think that no one else has ever faced such a trial, but there is nothing new under the sun.  Others have grappled with this and withstood the strain.  The same God who made a way of escape for them, will do so for us.

The truth we rely on is this: "God is faithful."  No matter what the circumstance screams, despite what the Devil or his minions say, even if we cannot understand and the pain pierces our soul, this truth is unchanging.

Grace is given in that moment to endure the test.  A way of escape is given to escape the temptation.  Run to His arms, trust in His Word, believe in His love, even when everything calls for you to doubt Him, run from Him, and become bitter toward Him.  You can have God or follow the Serpent's counsel to be your own god--that you know better than Him.

I did not say that you will never question.  I cannot promise you will not hurt.  I am not assuring you that all makes sense.  My father and mother sung many times, "I don't need to understand; I just need to hold His hand."

Every temptation questions the goodness of God.  We are at a crossroad of decision--to trust or doubt the character of God, to believe in His wisdom or our own, to rely on His gracious hand to provide or take matters into our own hands.  Adam and Eve were persuaded by the Tempter to distrust God's character and disobey His command, and we suffer the horrible consequences of that choice still.  We repeat the same folly far too often.

Understand that the temptation does not always come in the form of some heinous crime or vile debauchery--it may be as subtle as when facing disappointment, disease, or death that we become bitter toward God.  A financial bankruptcy, chronic pain, the death of a child--these and other things will test our faith, and tempt us to doubt God.

Now, the temptation is not a sin.  Jesus was tempted at all points as we are--yet without sin.  The wrestling with the temptation is spiritual warfare, but it is not sin.  Sin is when we surrender--when we embrace Satan's accusation against God.  "You can't trust God.  Why don't you curse Him and die!"

Temptation will often overtake us like that.  We don't have to look for it--it finds us.  Sometimes we think that no one else has ever faced such a trial, but there is nothing new under the sun.  Others have grappled with this and withstood the strain.  The same God who made a way of escape for them, will do so for us.

The truth we rely on is this: "God is faithful."  No matter what the circumstance screams, despite what the Devil or his minions say, even if we cannot understand and the pain pierces our soul, this truth is unchanging.

Grace is given in that moment to endure the test.  A way of escape is given to escape the temptation.  Run to His arms, trust in His Word, believe in His love, even when everything calls for you to doubt Him, run from Him, and become bitter toward Him.  You can have God or follow the Serpent's counsel to be your own god--that you know better than Him.

I did not say that you will never question.  I cannot promise you will not hurt.  I am not assuring you that all makes sense.  My father and mother sung many times, "I don't need to understand; I just need to hold His hand."  

THE HIGH COST OF LOW LIVING

But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.  (2 Samuel 11:27b) 

I don’t know who first said it, but it is absolutely right: “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”  There is a high cost to low living.  David found that out the hard way.  The sorrowful, sordid story unfolds in 2 Samuel 11-12. 

The moral collapse of the man of God begins with a seemingly small evasion of duty (11:1).  At a time when David should have been with his troops staying on the battlefield, he is strolling on the balcony.  An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.  It may seem a little thing at first to become slack in worship attendance, neglectful of a daily devotional time, or step back from Christian service.  But, nature abhors a vacuum—and if your mind is not filled with God’s Word, Satan will fill it with carnal thoughts; if our calendar is not filled with wholesome activity, it will become filled with worldly pursuits.  It is only a matter of time. 

We discover David up at night, wandering the palace balcony, where the lion of lust waits to pounce on him (11:2-5).  If a man rises early, meets God in prayer and the Word, his spiritual defenses will be strengthened.  Staying up late and sleeping in sets a pattern which paves the way for exposure to all manner of evil—seldom does any good activity happen after midnight.  How many are swept up into sin—caught up in porn, lured into illicit texting, even swept up into an adulterer’s arms because they were up at night with eyes open that should have been closed in sleep—in anticipation of the next day and getting up and gazing upon the Word of God. 

The sin David committed was bad enough, but the sin he covered was worse (11:6-27).  Bathsheba becomes pregnant.  Her husband, Uriah, will become a casualty of David’s sexual conquest.  Uriah was a Hittite—one of the pagan people that Israel had conquered when they took Canaan.  Yet, his character outshines one of the chosen people in this story.  David, doubtless, never intended for things to go as far as they did, but give the Devil an inch and he will take a mile.  Even Joab is drawn into the conspiracy that brought down an innocent man.  David had become an adulterer, liar, and now a murderer! 

Numbers 32:23 warns, “be sure your sin will find you out.”  The secret sin on earth is a public scandal in heaven.  David will be exposed.  When God sends his prophet to confront the king, he shares a story that will stir a former shepherd’s heart (12:1-6).  We are often quick to judge in another what lurks in our own soul.  Nathan points his bony finger at David—like an arrow hitting his heart comes the pronouncement, “You are the man!” (v.7)  To David’s credit, he is repentant.  God will forgive, yet by his own lips, David had pronounced his own punishment: “fourfold,” (v.6).  The baby Bathsheba will birth will become sick and die—that’s one.  After Amnon, David’s son, rapes his sister, her brother, Absalom will kill Amnon—that’s two.  Absalom will lead a rebellion against David, only to be eventually slain by Joab—that’s three.  Later, Solomon will execute another of David’s sons, Adonijah—that’s four.  We sow evil seed and hope for a crop failure, but God is not mocked (Gal.6:7-8).  

OVERCONFIDENT AND OVERCOME

Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.  (John 18:27) 

The sun had dawned on a beautiful Hawaiian Sunday, when suddenly the skies were filled with Japanese planes.  Death rained from the skies upon Pearl Harbor where the American fleet was decimated.  They were sitting ducks.  Overconfident and unaware, they were soon overcome and aflame.  That is a reality of spiritual warfare also.  Simon Peter is the classic example of a man brim full of overconfidence.  He ignored the warnings of the Lord.  He was caught off-guard by the test that would overcome him. 

Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to sift him as wheat.  His response was that though all the other disciples would desert Jesus, he would stay faithful.  Then the storm came upon him like the Japanese air force attacking Pearl Harbor.  Jesus was seized by an angry mob in dark Gethsemane.  Peter followed to see the outcome, but Matthew notes that he followed Him “at a distance,” (26:58).  That is the first step toward defeat—the step that takes you away from intimacy with Christ.  Neglecting the inner life—having daily communion with Christ in the Word and prayer—lowers our defenses and opens up the way to attack.  What appears to be a sudden blowout on the road of life has been the result of a slow leak in the tire. 

Peter leaned on his own strength and fell.  Our only hope to vanquish temptation is to cast ourselves in utter dependence on God.  We are no match for Satan.  A big fisherman will cower before a little servant girl, and deny Jesus, if resolve is rooted in the flesh instead of in the Spirit’s power.  His boast had been that he would never deny Christ.  Never say, “Never.”  In certain circumstances we are all capable of yielding to sin.  We don’t have to, of course, but apart from God’s aid, we will.  Bible history is replete with those shipwrecks—even champions like Noah, Moses, and David fell.  If they did, I can also. 

We find Peter warming himself at the fire of the enemy.  Get too close to that fire and you will get burned.  Hang out with wicked people in the wrong places, and you will eventually find yourself defeated by temptation.  The Psalmist proclaimed, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful….”  (1:1)  Peter did the opposite.  He walked in the counsel of the ungodly (John 18:15-17).  Peter stood in the path of sinners (John 18:18).  He sat in the seat of the scornful.  Luke tells us that he sat down with them (22:55).   

Peter denied Jesus—three times—despite his bravado.  He even does it with cursing!  What a sad episode—often repeated by believers today.  Our courage and conviction fade into the background while cowardice and compromise emerge.  Our testimony is harmed and our credibility is damaged. 

America recovered from the disaster of that infamous day, declaring war on Japan the next day.  Eventually defeat turned to victory and the war was won, though recovery from that attack was long and hard.  Peter recovered and was restored to usefulness.  He was a broken man, who wept bitterly over his failure.  Remorse expressed his repentance.  He would never again deny Christ and would eventually die for Him as he pledged.  Better not to stumble by leaning on Jesus, but if we fall let us get up and run for mercy into Jesus’ arms!

THE WAGES OF SIN

Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!”  And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it.  So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.  (Judges 16:30)

Sin and death walked hand in hand into the Garden of Eden.  God had warned Adam and Eve that if they disobeyed Him they would die.  James described the process this way, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”  (1:14-15)  Samson stands as a living illustration of this truth.

His life was marked by compromise (Judges 16:1-3).  Little by little, he abandoned his consecration to God.  Flirtation with the world leads to friendship with the world; friendship then leads to courtship; courtship leads to spiritual adultery.  What Samson saw, he desired, and what he desired, he experienced.  He was a mighty man who could beat back a thousand soldiers, but could not conquer the beguiling form of a female.  This would, at last, be his Achilles’ heel.

Samson’s judgment was clouded by the intoxicating charm of a woman (Judges 16:4-21).  This brought him into the arms of Delilah and that would bring his doom.  His relationship with her—as in the many before—was utterly sensual and not spiritual.  Samson fell—not because he was too weak—but, was too strong.  He was brim full of pride.  After all, he had never lost a fight.  He should have run from Delilah’s den like his pants were on fire.  Scripture says, “Flee fornication.”  Instead he takes the serpent to his chest and plays with it.  He gets by for a while.  Then the venomous fangs bring deadly poison into his life.  Delilah rocks him to sleep.  Samson had forsaken two-thirds of his Nazarite vow, and now abandoned the rest.  Strike three and you’re out!  His hair was not the source of his power, but it was in his dedication to God that his long hair represented.  The Lord departed from him, and what is even worse—Samson did not know it.  Sin binds, it blinds, and it grinds.  Samson’s arms would no longer hold a beautiful woman, but they would be held by bronze fetters—sin binds.  His eyes would never again look with lust at a lovely woman—sin blinds.  He would become a beast of burden—sin grinds.

The Bible solemnly warns, “The wages of sin is death,” (Rom.6:23).  Samson’s story comes to that predicted end (Judges 16:22-31).  Instead of bringing glory to God, Samson inspired the Philistines to honor their idol, Dagon, and rejoice in his victory over the God of Israel.  When believers fall—especially leaders of God’s people—it results in hell rejoicing.  Thankfully, Samson finally sought the Lord in repentance.  “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”  (Rom.5:20b).  In the end, Samson conquered by crying out to God instead of calling on his own resources.  In the final act of this tragedy, he brought down the house.

Frank Sinatra’s song, “My Way,” which is an ode to stubborn, self-centeredness that refuses to pursue any other way than one’s own way, has been popular and recorded often since Sinatra first crooned it.  It could have been Samson’s theme song.  Remember, however, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”  (Prov.14:12)

THE PROBLEM WITH SUCCESS

 

Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah.  And all Israel played the harlot with it there.  It became a snare to Gideon and to his house. (Judges 8:27)

Success is difficult to attain, but it is even more difficult to maintain.  That’s the problem with success.  You will find that one of the most perilous times in your life is in a period of prosperity.  We tend to become casual and then careless after a conquest and that leads to catastrophe.  Gideon had experienced a great victory.  The Lord had enabled him to lead 300 men to triumph over a horde of Midianite marauders.  He, then, was overcome by the problem of success.

It all began when he faced criticism (Judges 8:1-3).  The tribe of Ephraim had not participated in the initial combat—being summoned at the end to help “mop up.”  They let pride lead them to criticize Gideon for not inviting them to the battle earlier.  One of the problems with success is that you will find others envious of you.  They will seek to bring you down with a barrage of criticism.  The question is not whether you will be criticized for your work for the Lord—the only question is how you will respond to it.  In this case, Gideon responded with a soft answer that turns away wrath (Prov.15:1).  The wrong response is one of bitterness or anger—that is always a danger.

Then there was the problem of conflict (Judges 8:4-21).  Gideon and his soldiers were weary of their warfare.  They had not finished off the enemy, however.  There is always the danger in our spiritual warfare of resting after the initial successes, and not finishing the task.  When Gideon asks the citizens of Succoth and Penuel for provisions, they refused, thinking that Gideon’s small force could not finish the job.  These dwelt on the border with Midian and were fearful of retaliation should Gideon fail.  Gideon did finish the job, but also retaliated against those who did not help them.  It is possible that Gideon was too harsh—took it too personally.  Conflict seems to rise after success.  In the midst of battle, there is no time for fighting one another for we are too busy fighting the enemy.

Gideon would further face the problem of conceit (Judges 8:22-23).  There is always the peril of pride when the spotlight of success shines upon us.  Gideon refuses the accolades and offer for him to become their king.  There is always the danger of accepting the glory that belongs to God alone.  Difficulty has a way of driving us in desperation to God.  Prosperity presents the peril of pride that divides us from God. 

Gideon is at last overcome by the problem of complacency.  With the victory in hand, Gideon is ready to take a break, which will lead him to take a tumble.  He rejects the adoring masses adulation—at least, outwardly—but, inwardly he seems to think, “I should get something out of this.”  The more he has time to think about it, the stronger the temptation grows.  The complacent soul lets down his or her guard—then the enemy strikes!  He took their gold and fashioned an ephod which the priests wore and this became an idol.  Though Gideon would not take the title of king, he began to behave like he was one.  This man of faith fell—and so may we if we let down our guard.  This is the problem with success.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  (Mark 1:11)

It is difficult to end up in the right place, if you don’t start out on the right track!  A key to finishing well is beginning well. What we find in our text is the beginning of Christ’s public ministry.  The events recorded here provided the point of departure on a course of obedience to His Father that would lead Him to say, “It is finished”—the race is run, the journey is done, and the victory is won!  That is how I want to end!  Jesus shows us how to get on the right track.

There was THE WITNESS THAT HE SHARED (v.9-13).  If we are on the right track, others should be able to see it!  The witness wasn’t merely declared by His lips, but demonstrated by His life.

We observe the witness of His virtue (v.9-11). “You are my beloved Son….”  From the time of Christ’s appearance at the age of twelve in the temple to his baptism at the age of thirty, there are eighteen hidden years of maturing. He passed that part of His schooling!  God doesn’t develop His leaders in a microwave, but a crock pot!  Then He steps into public view. Baptism was a testimony of His identification with sinners and mission to die and rise again.  It was another step of obedience. 

We note the witness of His victory (v.12-13) “tempted by Satan….”  This was the biggest test yet.  Jesus passed with impeccable credentials!   He was with the wild beasts as the Last Adam—in harmony with earth.  The angels come and ministered to Him after this great battle—He was in harmony with heaven.

There were THE WORDS THAT HE SPOKE (v.14-15).  If we are on the right track, we should be able to tell others how to get on it!  From out of the fountain of His pure heart, flowed these powerful words from His mouth. 

Consider the source of the message (v.14) “the kingdom of God….”  The kingdom of God is the rule of Heaven over all.  As in every kingdom, there are laws, which govern the conduct of the citizens.  Notice that John had been proclaiming that message and now that his voice is soon to be silenced in death, Jesus will take up the message.  God always has someone to lead us on the right track.  In every generation, He raises up witnesses to the truth.

Furthermore, we find the substance of the message (v.15)“Repent, and believe….”  This is the core message of the Bible.  It is still our message for today. Being on the right track means that both repentance and faith are present in order not to derail!

There were THE WORKERS THAT HE SUMMONED (v.16-20).  Being on the right track means we show it by our life and share it with our lips, but also, that we summon others to join us on the trip.

We hear a call to follow (v.16-17a; 18-20) “Follow Me….”  To follow Him is to forsake all else (v.20).  There is just one right track—everything else is a detour.

We have a call to fish (v.17b) “I will make you fishers of men.”  Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  He calls us to fish for souls of men!  There are plenty of fish.  The Gospel is the net.  Apart from Him, we cannot catch men, but apart from us, He will not.  This is our job.  Bring them in!

STAYING CLEAN IN A SEXUALIZED CULTURE

 

How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”  (Genesis 39:9b)

Sex is used to sell everything from hamburgers to video games.  You cannot access the internet or go to a movie without encountering temptation.  Wherever you turn, you will see more flesh than you should and hear more lurid conversation than you ought.  Ours is a sex-saturated society.  Yet, God calls His people to holiness.  How is this possible?  The story of Joseph helps us understand how to stay clean in a sexualized culture.

We note THE DANGER THAT HE FACED (Gen.39:1-7).  Joseph was a red-blooded young man with all the sexual desire any man his age possesses.  God has wired us up that way.  He has also, however, established marriage to be the place where that joyful experience is celebrated.  Sin—in whatever form—is exceeding the boundaries God has established.  Temptation came to Joseph as he goes through his normal course of life.  The challenge to our purity will arise, the issue is how we will respond to it.

There was THE DECISION THAT HE FORTIFIED (v.8-9).  Joseph had developed moral convictions.  His prompt reaction shows he had thought this matter through and was prepared for the crisis.  He knew God’s demands, and was determined to follow them.  With each decision made to stand, that commitment was fortified.  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  (Rom.12:2)  We are either being conformed to the world or transformed by the Word.

So came THE DEFILEMENT THAT HE FLED (v.10-12).  You don’t have to go looking for temptation—it will come seeking you.  It did for Joseph.  His temptation was not an occasional matter, but a continual challenge.  Then came the moment when he had no choice but to run—the fire was too hot!  We cannot get away from all temptation in the world we live in, but there comes the point in which we must, “Flee sexual immorality.” (1 Cor.6:18a).  It may mean installing internet monitoring software, getting an accountability partner, not traveling out of town alone, or something else, but linger long enough near the edge of that polluted stream, and you will one day dive in!

Still, there was THE DIFFICULTY THAT HE FACED (v.13-20).  We have heard the expression, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” and this story illustrates it.  If we decide to stand for God, don’t assume that means you are free from trouble.  The world will seek the downfall of the godly.  If they can’t find a legitimate means of attack, then they will spread false accusation.  Satan will then whisper, “See, what serving God gets you!”  As Joseph was isolated in a prison cell, those who seek holiness will feel very much alone—on an island in an ocean of pleasure-seekers.

Yet, there was THE DELIGHT THAT HE FOUND (v.21-23).  God blessed Him despite his circumstances.  The Lord still had a wonderful plan for his future.  Had he yielded to sin, he would have disqualified himself.  Instead, God favored his faithful servant.  Trust Him!  He will help you stay clean in a sexualized culture—and in the end it is rewarded.

TRIUMPH OVER THE PRIDE OF LIFE

 

Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.  For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”  And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ” Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.  Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.  And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.”  (Luke 4:9-15) 

 

Here was a shortcut to being acclaimed as the Messiah.  He could make a grand entrance and have the applause of the masses in the place of prayer below.   It was a temptation to the pride of life. 

 

The Devil even quotes Scripture as an incentive to take “the leap of faith,” which was really not faith, but presumption! 

 

The sly speech of the serpent, however, is taken out of context.   This is what false religion does.  Let’s examine the original quote and see how Satan amended it:

 

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.  In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.  You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. (Psalm 91:11-13)

 

I think we can see why the Devil left out a significant part.  First, he ended the phrase, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you” and omitted, “in all your ways.”  His ways were ever the Father’s ways, as He did not come to do His own will, but to glorify the Father’s name by doing His work.  It is even more apparent why Satan would not quote verse thirteen, “You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.”  This predicted the Devil’s demise!  It is the very thing Christ was doing in the desert—overcoming Satan who goes about as a roaring lion (1 Pet.5:8) and stomping the Old Serpent’s head underfoot (Gen.3:15).

 

Satan whimpers off like a scolded puppy.  James 4:7 says, “Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  But he won’t go far, and won’t stay long.  As with Jesus, Satan will watch for an opportunity later to assail us again.  He is nothing, if not persistent!

 

Jesus proved His impeccable credentials and was now ready to embark on His mission with great power.  He was tested and triumphant.  God’s voice had spoken His approval from heaven at His baptism and now His victory had given the assurance of holiness in His temptation. 

 

May God help us to be tried and true—His tool to do our task for Him.

 

TRIUMPH OVER THE LUST OF THE EYES

 

 

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.  Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”  And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”   (Luke 4:5-8)  

 

The crown rightfully belonged to Christ.  The glory of the world’s kingdoms should have been His to claim.  But, first He would have to wear a crown of suffering before He could wear a crown of sovereignty.  Humiliation would precede exaltation. 

 

Adam had been given dominion over the earth, but forfeited that when he sinned.  Satan claimed the kingdoms of men.  In fact, Jesus called the Devil, “The prince of this world.”  Now, he offers the scepter back to Jesus—and all He must do is worship him.  That is what the angel Lucifer craved that turned him into Satan.  If he could but get Jesus to bow and worship, he would have what he wanted. 

 

Of course, Christ rejected it—and by quoting the Word of God.  That is how you overcome temptation.  The Psalmist said, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”  (Ps.119:11)  Each time Satan attacked, Jesus gave the counterthrust with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

 

All the quotes that Jesus used were from Deuteronomy.  How many of us could recite three verses from that book?  We might argue, “But being God, Jesus was omniscient!”  Indeed, but recall that He had limited Himself in living as a man.  His knowledge of Scripture wasn’t the product of Divine attributes, but of diligent study—the same way we can—and must.

 

Spend time looking into the Word and it will diminish the appeal of the world.  Scripture provides a lens through which we can correctly view how worthless this world is compared to the value of eternity.  That knowledge will aid us in triumph over the lust of the eyes.

TRIUMPH OVER THE LUST OF THE FLESH

 

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil.  And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” (Luke 4:1-4) 

 

When did this temptation occur?  It was after an occasion of unparalleled blessing.  Some of the most dangerous times you will face are after such times.  Christ had just been baptized and heard Heaven’s approval—and now He will engage in a titanic test with the Tempter.  You cannot drop your guard for a moment.  Satan is like a poisonous viper coiled to strike as soon as you cease to be on the watch for him. 

 

Thankfully, Jesus was ready.  He goes out in the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit.  But, so can you.  We are no match for the Devil in our own strength and wisdom, yet we are foolish to think we must—when God intends for us to be filled with His Mighty Spirit.  Indeed this test was ordained of God.  Jesus was not only filled with the Spirit, but it says He was led by the Spirit.  God will never lead you into a war you can’t win.  If he brings you to it, He will bring you through it. 

 

Where did this conflict occur?  In the wilderness—and isn’t that an apt description of the battlefield we find ourselves on—the wilderness of this world?  It was in the wilderness that Israel was tested for 40 years and failed, and it is in the wilderness where Jesus is tested for 40 days and wins! 

 

What was the nature of this temptation?  He fasts for that period of forty days—to the limits of human endurance, and is famished and fatigued at the end.  Then Satan tempts him to fulfill a God-given drive in an illegitimate way.  He suggests, “The end justifies the means.”  It is a pragmatic approach to life that asks, “Will you get the right results?”  The world functions that way—naturally.  Sadly, the church has bought into the same philosophy far too often.  This is a man-centered approach that appeals to our desires.  What we need is a God-centered approach that rests in God’s designs.  Jesus had this theological approach to life that asked, “Will this be the right thing?”

 

It was then that Jesus overcomes the lust of the flesh by a greater appetite for the Word of God.  The body requires food, but life is about more than our body—for we have a spiritual side to nourish as well.  The Lord always did this—daily feeding on that which put strength into His soul—and thus, when the battle broke, He had the resources in reserve to answer the challenge.

 

Have you fed on God’s Word this morning?  That is how we have triumph over the lust of the flesh!