1 Corinthians 10:13 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.
Temptation...the human mousetrap. Stop and think about that for a moment. A mousetrap offers the mouse the bait, and promises that if the mouse takes the bait, it will give it food, pleasure, and satisfaction. As it lures the mouse, the unsuspecting victim reaches for the bait that looks good, smells good, but the bait is only a façade that covers what really lies in underneath...death. Temptation is no different. Satan offers the temptation, trying to convince us that the bait he is offering will bring enlightenment, satisfaction, fulfillment, and greater happiness. However, the facade he paints for us is only a mirage in a desert valley filled with death. His ultimate goal is to kill our reputation as a follower of Jesus. He wants to sift us as wheat to make us useless for the cause of Christ. His desire is to steal our identity in Christ, as he knows he cannot have our soul. Satan's offerings are not for our benefit, but for our destruction, and for the ruin of our relationship with the Lord, our families, and our friends. He knows what bait to put before us that will excite our flesh, and convince us that the shortcut he offers is far better than waiting on the Lord, and living out His plan, "that is just taking way too long to be revealed". Matthew 4 gives the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. Jesus stood His ground, using the Word of God to push away the bait that Satan offered over and over. I love what this chapter tells us when Satan finally fled. In verse 11 it reads, "Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him." That my dear brothers and sisters was the greater reward, and the ultimate in satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment. Jesus came for a purpose, and He stayed focus on that purpose. We have been separated unto God, in Christ, for a purpose. We need to stay focused and on course. So when Satan shows up and tries to bait our flesh, trying to convince us that what he offers will be better for us than the blessings God has in store for us... DON'T TAKE THE BAIT!!!
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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