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June 8, 2009 - Spiritual Warfare

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

Lowell Lundstrom, the very hard working Bible teacher and evangelist, and his son L.J. had a rare opportunity to get away and experience the great outdoors.  On their way to Lake Winnipeg River the two outdoorsmen stopped at a local tackle shop to check out the fishing reports.

L.J. spotted a large minnow-shaped, shallow running lure that was decked out in all kinds of colors.  Lowell remembered the old saying, “more lures are made to catch fishermen than ever catch fish”.  But the persistence of a young boy and the curiosity of an old fisherman provoked a sale.

After several days of very difficult fishing and a small stringer of fish to show for all their hard work, Lowell snapped on his son’s new lure just to show the boy some encouragement.  The evening sun was setting on his last cast of the trip when a 23-pound musky grabbed the lure.  The unique qualities of this bait were more than the big fish could resist.

The two elated fishermen netted the monster and took it to the dock with their newfound love of a very tempting lure.

The world in which we live tempts us in a variety of ways.  The obsession some have for obtaining all the things seen in our media can drive people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise consider.  There is an exploitation of sex that has driven many men and women into the dark closets of pornography.  Also, we can be tempted to make inappropriate financial decisions by taking advantage of someone else’s mistake in accounting. 

We can all remember times when we have been tempted. Biblically speaking, to be “tempted” means to be lured or enticed. The word temptation (peirasmos) had great meaning to the first century disciples.  It meant “to catch in a snare or trap” or “to lure a fish from his hiding place”.

Temptation comes in many forms. We can be tempted in the flesh with the illusions of sensual pleasure. Lust of the flesh can include dietary or sexual fantasies. Another powerful force is temptation of the mind. We can be tempted in thoughts of power, fame, fortune and/or position.

Finally, we can be tempted in the spirit. Satan can attack our very soul as he wages war on our spiritual nature.

The author of Hebrews points out: “for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet as without sin”. Hebrews 4:15

Christ reminds us that we have to wage the battle against temptation and to be alert for the evil one. At the conclusion of His earthly ministry, Christ admonished His disciples “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak” Matthew 26:41.

Accountability to other believers and keeping ourselves open to God’s Word are keys in dealing with temptation. Let us commit to praying for one another that God will give us the strength, power and might to overcome the temptations before us.

Thank you for praying for our Iron Sharpens Iron event in Post Falls, ID. What a powerful day - To God be the glory!