Lust of flesh, lust of the eyes and pride.
How did Jesus overcome temptation in the wilderness to walk in authority?
Lust of the eyes ( material and worldly desires)
Jesus’ temptation: Offered the kingdom of the world if he would worship Satan (Mathew 4;8-9)
Pride of life
Ego gratification, self importance and desire for recognition and fame.
Jesus’ temptation: To jump from the temple, tempting God by demanding divine rescue (Mathew 4:5-7)
Lust of the flesh
Physical appetite, bodily pleasures and instant gratification.
Jesus’ temptation: asked to turn stones into bread while hungry in the wilderness (Mathew 4:3)
These three categories are confirmed by John himself in his letter.
“ For all that is in the world— the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world.”
For sin itself is majorly caused by flesh, the world and the devil itself. And if he(the devil) be king of this world (Ephesians 2:1-2) then we who are in Christ Jesus are in constant resistance to his influence over our minds.
Where do these carnal thoughts I struggle with come from?
For many ask themselves: how come I suffer with carnal thoughts and yet I accepted Christ. This is a fight, and those thoughts are not yours but of demons. You are not possessed but are facing weapons of the devil and if you want to prevail over those carnal and malicious thoughts; you’ve got to equip yourself with the word(scripture- sword) to fight against the enemy( carnality) And the fight never stops.
Why are we tempted to sin?
If you notice Jesus had to overcome the devil’s temptations first in the wilderness before he began working great deeds and miracles across Jerusalem and the surrounding cities. God tests us to prove us before He can entrust us with His authority. The same thing He did with Israel where He led them through the wilderness to prove them (Exodus 16: 4-5) before He could entrust them with the promised land. And that’s why there tends to be some sort of spiritual awakening and war every time a real breakthrough is around the corner.
Most people cry and worry but a mature Christian only rejoices because they know: if war is now then only peace lies ahead. And they fight the good fight with gladness and patience till they see the other side of salvation.
Why do the temptations increase the further we submit to God?
Just like you are promoted after a major test or are given continuous tests so that you mature in understanding and improve your performance in class and so is the process of fighting and overcoming temptation. The higher you go, the more enticing the temptations get. Back when you were still young, you were tempted to steal your friend’s sweet from their locker. Then when you were a teenager you were tempted to cheat in the exam to get more marks and in your early 20’s are tempted to pick up all sorts of wrong vices from drinking, using and trafficking, name it. And before you know it, you may end up being tempted to cheat on your wife.
None of us is perfect, we have all fallen short of the glory. I have too. So this isn’t to blame or point out your sinfulness but to show you that if you aspire to walk in the glory Jesus walked in; there are going to be some sacrifices. Painful ones.
First step to see God move in your life
Many Christians aspire to see power: miracles, breakthroughs and divine intervention but are not trying enough. The first step in maturing as a follower of Christ is repenting. Not just confessing Jesus with your mouth and doing the opposite of His will. You can’t expect Jesus to be your saviour yet you don’t want Him to be your Master.
That hand of God you aspire to see will move the day you turn away from your sin and follow Christ with all your soul and body. Just like the Israelites were asked to sacrifice to God before they set off out of Egypt(Exodus 8:27)
God needs you to turn away from those carnal and prideful thoughts and turn to Him fully. Maybe He will be gracious and look upon your circumcised heart and be merciful. And He will go before you.Like the cloud by day and a fire by night as He did for His people the Israelites in the wilderness. And He will make the crooked paths straight and break through the iron gates and give you the treasures hidden in the darkness.
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19 KJV)
The authority is already in your hands, as a General sends out a cadet to deliver his message to his battalion. As so, Jesus gave you power over Satan and his demons and you ought to exercise it to be recognised as a Son of God.
And now if you are to ask me how you can exercise this authority: join me in the next article as I uncover this secret.
