ICS Daily Devotions
Recognising Temptation
Matt 4:3-4 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’
Satan tempted Jesus with physical pleasure by asking him to turn the stones to bread—this is the lust of the flesh. Meanwhile, a craving to have everything we see is the lust of the eye. Unbelievers are led by their senses, but Jesus was obedient to the call of God upon His life and lived by every Word that comes from God.
The foundational source for recognising temptation is the Bible where God tells us what is right and wrong. Therefore, in order to live victoriously, we must all be students of the Bible.
One big temptation in the corporate world is to be successful regardless of what it takes, but when there is a desire to do well at all costs, we will tend to compromise our Christian values.
Young adults need to know that promotion comes neither from the east nor the west but from the Lord (Ps 75:6-7). They need learn to walk out the will of God for their lives, and to craft out their personal calling statement as to why they exist and their purpose of life. Many people have been so busy and stressed that by their middle age, they are calling for a time-out because life has become meaningless—chasing after the wind.
Many young people these days also think it is acceptable to co-habit and have sexual relationships before marriage. There is a longing for instant gratification rather than waiting and exercising self-control, but the Word of God says that fornication is idolatry (Col 3:5).
Another area of temptation is when it comes to colleagues of the opposite sex. When we go on business trips alone with them, or lend a listening ear to their problems, we need to be cautious to keep a distance from them both physically—by not being alone in a room with them—and emotionally. Going on business trips alone is also when temptations, in the form of unwholesome thoughts and suggestions, might easily come into our mind. This is when we will need to take every thought captive—by not dwelling on or pursuing that thought the moment that it first comes into your mind—and flee.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Sermon Series: Break Free from Temptation
