Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 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.
Memory Verse: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. Romans 8:7.
A lot of things happens daily in our lives, most of which we would generally assume we have control over, only till we are faced with it and then we stumble. The stumbling isn’t because we intended to but because we fail to realise the exact type of battle we are into; we tackle it with the wrong focus and the devil our primary enemy uses our naivety to stage a path to our failure.
Many times when we get promoted in life, we assume we have been elevated above everything and everyone below and because we only view the progression selfishly, we automatically expose ourselves on the battle field of life. The devil did this with a number of individuals in the bible with the most obvious one being king Solomon.
Solomon was the wisest of all during his time. He had a strong presence and his success attracted people all over the world but he became canal minded. He forgot God who took him there and became carried away by the flesh, dumping the very first commandment in Exodus 20:3 which says “You shall have no other gods before Me. King Solomon had many foreign wives against the will of God. The more he focused on himself, the more he took orders from his wives and the less he focused on God until he was totally destroyed.
Even worse was that his position was earned through his father’s obedience but in that same position, he inherited a curse for his own children.
So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded.
Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. 1Kings 11:9-11.
Have you heard people say “I am what I am by the grace of God”? It’s not just a saying, it’s in the scriptures “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain”, 1Corinthians 15:10a. This means we ought to learn to focus on God in all and not get carried away because every time we look at what God has given us and glorify the flesh, our desire will only conceive and give birth to sin, of which brings forth death.
What has the Lord given you? the wealth, position, riches, fame and the rest alike which gives you the presence can also be the root of your downfall, if you focus on the flesh. Everything God has released is to be used for His glory.
PRAYERS
- Father I thank you for your wonderful gifts you daily lavish me with and for your blessings
- I am thankful for your kindness and faithfulness despite my unfaithfulness
- Help me Lord to focus on you solely and not be carnally minded
- Help me to be compassionate towards others, to show benevolence and to meet other’s needs
- I receive the power of a giver, guide me Lord and lead me to reach out to those in need
- Help me to walk with you daily, live my life for you and be at the centre of it all
- Forgive me Lord of all my iniquities, bless me abundantly and make me a blessing unto others, in Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.
