Month: January 2020

 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:6-13)

In a single sentence, Paul downloads and live-streams into the heart of the early church the entire history of Israel to serve as an example for what not to do (v6).  This paragraph is essential to understanding the believers relationship to temptation, sin and evil. Contextually, Paul is calling the carnal Corinthians to a lifestyle born of the Holy Spirit marked by love  (1 Cor.8:1;14:1), self-control (1 Cor.9:25), humility (1 Cor.10:12). He is laying out the CONSEQUENCES of Israel’s unbelief and disobedience as a deterrent to sin. 

Gratefully, the Scripture gives us….

 A Strategy for Obedience in the Midst of Temptation:

• Normalize Temptation

Temptation does cluster around seasons of vulnerability, but it is also to be expected DAILY.  We must always guard our heart. Jesus taught us to pray daily, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,”. Our Corinthian text says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man.” You are not ALONE in your struggle with sin.  One of my all time favorite movies is The Edge. The movie stars Anthony Hopkins, a billionaire, and Alec Baldwin, his wife’s lover and photographer. They end up surviving an airplane crash in the remote wilderness of Alaska. Unfortunately, a man-eater Grizzly picks up the scent of blood from one the survivors. After the grizzly kills their friend, Hopkins and Baldwin are left alone to try and elude this carnivore. The turning point in the movie is when Charles Morse (Hopkins) decides they must kill the bear or be killed by the bear. Hopkins shows a picture of an Indian killing a grizzly with a spear by using the weight of the bear to impale itself in a deadfall.  Bob (Baldwin) reluctant to buy in to the strategy, is commanded by Hopkins to repeat over and over again and louder and louder until he believes what he is saying,

“What one man can do, another can do!”  *Warning this Contains Cursing

This issue of this statement can lead one to positive or negative behavior. Which man are you going to allow to be your example to emulate?

Jesus was that Man who did it! He in every way was tempted yet did not yield Himself!  He is our representative, the High Priest who comes to our aid to forgive, cleanse, heal and train us to not practice our sin anymore. 

Say it repeatedly out loud, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” 

Now say this as a confession and declaration of faith,  but fill in the blank with what you need to do…”I can ________________through Christ who strengthens me!”

Temptation will come to the best, the brightest and bravest of us all. Temptation will come to the weakest, the most ignorant and the coward among us. Temptation will come knocking at our doors all the time. Temptation is unavoidable if you are among the living. The cessation of temptation is a sign that you are not born again and thus no struggle to do what is right or wrong. Temptation is an expression of the hope to overcome as much as it is the fear to fail. 

One of the Desert Fathers, Cyrus of Alexandria, was beheaded along with his family in the 4th Century B.C.  He was Egyptian, a physician and worked among the sick. He said regarding the normalcy of lust,  “If you are not tempted, you have no hope; if you are not tempted, it is because you are sinning. The man who does not fight sin at the stage of temptation is sinning already in his body. The man who is sinning in his flesh has no trouble from temptation.”

Some of the most miserable people are Christians who are living in constant defeat by the flesh. I know because I have been in a few of those seasons myself.  It was not until I confessed my sin in the light by responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I had to take ownership of my actions. Consequences often still followed the repentance, but condemnation did not linger. I was free to fight again, to stand again and to serve the purposes of God. A great joy of mine is helping sinners like myself recover and become stronger by God’s grace and forgiveness and restoration. 

The Blog’s opening verses in 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 give several prohibitions to the Christian and the wider community of Jesus. 

1. Do not crave evil things (v6)…this is the general admonishment, followed by four prohibitions.

2. Do not be idolaters (v7)

3. Do not commit sexual immorality (v8)

4. Do not test Christ (v9)

5. Do not grumble (v10)

I have had the honor of being around some top-shelf men and women of God in my lifetime. I was not simply sitting under their teaching, but living life together with them.  Without exception they all carried a healthy respect for their capacity to sin or to fall. They were big advocates of grace and mercy and seldom picked up stones to throw at struggling Christians. I remember driving a man of God to the San Francisco International Airport, widely recognized in charismatic circles. Personally at the time, I was poised to become the Senior Pastor of a church.  I asked him a question about ministry or something of that nature. Honestly, I forgot the exact question but have never forgotten his answer, “I am filled with lust, a man of the flesh.” I was stunned, I did not know how to respond. I was sitting next to one of the movers and shakers in the body of Christ. He had committed to memory large portions of the Scripture and had a profound prophetic and proven ministry for decades. I wondered to myself if this was  a confession and I needed to probe deeper. In that moment and to this day, I realized men and women of God never graduate from or leave the MOUNTAIN OF TEMPTATION. As sure as Pikes Peak looms over Colorado Springs, CO, likewise, temptation will cast a shadow across our journey with the Lord. We must learn to be ‘mountaineers’ who can live, survive and thrive in the Spirit in the midst of a world of flesh and demons. The more we overcome the more powerful God’s Spirit uses us to help others.

The “craving” for evil will not depart us while we live in an unredeemed body.  However, the New Birth in Jesus Christ imparted a new nature and a new “craving” for the things of the Spirit! The  Greek word used by Paul in verse six is directly related to EPITHUMIA. This word suggests not just a passion, desire or urge but rather a strong desire, a “craving” , a relentless urge. In Galatians 5:16-26, Paul uses this same word EPITHUMIA (Gal.5:17) to describe the struggle for control in the Christian between the “flesh” and “the Spirit”. 

We are simultaneously  filled with the lust of the flesh and the passion of the Spirit. The nature we FEED the most will win the skirmish of the day. We must pick up the cross daily and put to death these passions of the flesh.

However, the Scripture does not just leave us deserted on the Mountain of Temptation naked and afraid. On the contrary, Scripture equips us and trains us how to face temptation and overcome with obedience. In Luke 4, The narrative of the wilderness for Jesus begins with being FULL of the Spirit and ends with Jesus coming out in the POWER of the Spirit.   The key to facing temptation is the leadership of the Spirit and the word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit. The disciple who is filled with the Spirit of God and utilizes the word of God to yield to the Fathers purpose to worship and serve Him alone will walk in great love and power! You may be facing a history of failure all around you. You may imagine yourself isolated, nobody can hear your shout for help.  You may have given up on victory, hope or any possibility for change. You have resolved it is just a matter of time before you are devoured by an Alaskan Grizzly in the forest of isolation. Nobody hears, nobody cares and certainly nobody notices you are gone…nobody is coming to rescue you. 

• Submit to God

Once we normalize temptation, we then must submit to God.  The Scripture says,  

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinth.10:13). 

James 4:4-10 gives further direction, 

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

WOW…the context of submission to God is breathtaking in its scope. Basically, the battle we are in requires ‘submission’ to God because He is faithful, in order to avoid chronic defeat by the devil and the spirit of this world.  We must swim upstream against the prevailing currents of hedonism, sensuality, betrayal, pride, unbelief and happy-ism.  My conversion was predicated on an understanding that I must swim upstream against the raging water.  Eternity was in my heart, and like a salmon spawning I longed for God and His heaven. The problem was in myself it was impossible to reach the destiny I longed for.  Eventually, by God’s grace He saved me from the waters of death and delivered me from the power of sin by transferring me into the kingdom of His beloved Son! James, in this case is not speaking about the literal act of adultery or sex by a married person with someone they are not married to. Rather, he is talking about intercourse with the spirit of the world. The Scriptural context is how Israel rarely ceased from idolatry their entire history with God.  

What does submit to God mean?  When it comes to developing a winning strategy to face temptation and not yield to sin…we must embrace or submit to Jesus Christ as The Second Adam and the High Priest.

Jesus: The Second Adam or the Last Adam (Rom.5:14-17)

The New Testament reveals Jesus and the “Last Adam”.  Jesus came as “a Man” to reverse the curse of Adam. The curse was that in Adam all humanity succumbed to temptation and sin against the glory of God. Thus, sin entered the human race and death spread to all men. However, in Jesus, who was not created, who faced every temptation but did not sin, reversed the curse of sin and released righteousness to all who obey the gospel of God. The believer must embrace Adam as the head of the fallen race. Before Jesus and our new birth, we could do nothing but sin in motive, word and deed.  However, in the Last Adam we are able to sin less. We have been delivered from the power of sin to separate us from the Father. The Holy Spirit has been given to us to commune with the Father and the Son. Therefore, Jesus, the Second or Last Adam, can train or teach us how to submit to the Father, face temptation, resist the devil and live in victory. His example, His footsteps must be studied and by His Spirit we become prepared for triumph in the midst of life’s problems and struggles. 

Several years ago, I watched a movie that was about a man who basically did something that was prohibited and suffered the awful consequences the rest of his life. He never was able to live free of the fall or failure. He was forever defined by his failure, a Cautionary Tale, a warning to all to NOT DO what he did. Cautionary Tales have a great value for all of us. The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a cautionary tale about the dangers of lying. Eventually, nobody believes you and does not take you serious anymore and you get brutally torn apart by a wolf.  The Holy Spirit had been provoking me for a lengthy season. The Holy Spirit was ‘jealous’ for my total loyalty to Him. After this movie, the Holy Spirit asked me, “Do you want to die as a Cautionary Tale or a Story of Redemption?” This single question graced me to pivot and truly commit to a process and progress of God’s redemptive and restorative purpose. I was fully aware that in many ways I was a Cautionary Tale, in fact, we all have a bio with a Cautionary Tale or two. I fully agree, “DO NOT DO WHAT I DID”, be warned it is not worth the temporary satisfaction. 

However, the Holy Spirit Spirit is an expert at transforming Cautionay Tales into inspiring Redemption Sagas! The Scripture is full of these histories of salvation. 

How many Redemption Sagas can you think of in the Bible (Samson etc.)? In our culture? In your church? In your family?  What are the common truths associated with these stories? What are the pivot points when the tied begins to turn from solely Cautionary to Redemptive? 

Jesus had bought me with His blood, the Father was drawing me back to Himself.  The more we understand the holy and loving jealousy of God, we will be more careful and circumspect to yield ourselves to the seductive sensuality of this world world system. 

Jesus, the Second Adam, the Man, the Lamb of God,  atop the Mountain of Temptation rejected the ‘girls, the gold and the glory’ offered by the devil.  This final temptation, to have position, wealth, power, influence, fame and all the unsanctioned pleasure you want mixed together, was the EPITOME OF A QUID-PRO-QUO.  Satan would grant to Jesus all the above in exchange for being worshipped and serve …just bow down and I will raise you up to have everything. 

The second Revelation of Jesus on the Mountain of Temptation is He is the High Priest of our confession. When we submit to God we anchor ourselves to know Him as He is,  “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;” (Heb.3:1). The entire context of Hebrews 2-3 is the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ with a view to Him being a man who can relate to us.  The God-man who can help us as we face our temptations. 

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (Heb.2:14-18)

So how does Jesus, the Second Adam and  the High Priest, help us in the midst of the our temptation? 

• His Incarnation places Him in our shoes and us in His shoes. We can “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for our lust” BECAUSE He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh and blood (Rom.13:14; Phil.2). The old  saying, “don’t trust a man unless you walk a mile in his moccasins,” comes from a poem written by Mary T. Lathrap in 1895 titled Judge Softly. The poem has a great tone about walking mercifully with others because you understand your own humanity. Jesus has faced what you and I face, therefore, He is the perfect brother to walk alongside.  I am convinced one of the chief reason we sin is we don’t walk with Jesus as the Chief. We think because NOBODY REALLY UNDERSTANDS MY STRUGGLE what difference does it make if I play with matches. This is why we pay counselors and psychologists so much money…we want someone to figure us out and help us make healthy choices with a healthy heart. I from time to time have benefited from counseling.  However, never once was that counselor by my side when I face temptation. The most empowering truth of the Incarnation of the Son of God is His constant Presence!

I am not Alone!

• His example victory gives us hope that we too can worship and serve God only. The truth that He now dwells within us by His Spirit gives us the ground of victory as we stand against the devil. God is asking of us something He Himself has done. Further, He provides us the resources of His Spirit and Word to stand firm and not yield to the temptation.  Peter literally calls us to “Follow in His footsteps”. 

He has shown me the Way!

• His pardoning grace, His propitiatory work, has removed the enmity between us and the Father. We are already accepted by grace, we are forgiven for all sins while we face our temptation.  So why yield to sin if you have already been forgiven because of the costly suffering and sacrifice of Jesus? You gain nothing from sinning but the grief of the consequences. Jesus Grace does not cultivate a justification to sin, but a justification to do good works to please and glorify the Father from a heart of gratitude and love.

I am forgiven already so I can go and sin less!

Some final thoughts on Temptation and the  Strategic Warfare of the Believer...

When you boil it all down, there are two basic responses to Temptation…Stand or Flee! The Christian should strive to be principled and immovable in certain arenas. We don’t retreat, we don’t yield, we don’t flinch or blink.  Our knees may knock but we courageously STAND. 

The Christian man or woman of God must also no when to Flee. Get out of there…quick! We are flexible and ready to change playmates, playgrounds and playthings as the Spirit leads. We are humble and recognize our limitations and humanity must be respected and so…we don’t go there or do that by the grace of God…we don’t say or think  this or that…we flee or resist until the temptation or enemy flees away.

STAND:  Jesus stood His ground in the Wilderness as the Son of God who came to take away the sins of the world by not sinning. He would not “back down, bend down, throw down or bow down” to the devils sly temptations. 

The New Testament is replete with several  commands to STAND. The more we understand WHERE we are taking our stand on this Mountain of Temptation we will prevent many unnecessary slips and falls. We will know what we are not budge an inch on and give no ground back, no retreat no for sale sign.

• Stand in the Saving Grace of God

 

Romans 5:2

through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

1 Peter 5:12

Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!

 

• Stand in Humility that God Chose you and you are weak

 

Romans 11:19-21

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.

1 Corinthians 10:12

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

 

• Stand in the Fear of the Lord that Judgement is Coming

 

Romans 14:10

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

 

• Stand in the Freedom from Legalism or Works-Righteousness

 

Galatians 5:1

[ Walk by the Spirit ] It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

 

• Stand Against the Schemes of the Devil with Strength and Armor from the Lord

 

Paul the Apostle said, “ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore,…” (Ephesians 6:10-14)

• Stand in Unity Against Division

Philippians 1:27

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

 

• Stand for Always Growing and Maturity in the Will of God

 

Colossians 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

 

FLEE:

 

• Flee the Wrath of God to Come through Repentance and Faith in God…We flee “the Wrath” to “stand in the Grace of God.

Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

• Flee Danger that would bring premature hardship and death and Compromise the Mission

Matthew 2:13

[ The Flight to Egypt ] Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”

Matthew 10:23

“But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

Matthew 24:15-16

15 “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 

This time last year, the Holy Spirit told me to “flee” Texas and go to the Colorado Rockies for 6 months. This obedience catalyzed personal renewal and transformation and release of new relatioships and restoration of divine purpose. 

 

• Flee False Shepherds

    John 10:4-5

    “ When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 

• Flee Sexual Sins

1 Corinthians 6:18

Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

 

• Flee Idolatry and Find Healthy Christian Fellowship

    1 Corinthians 10:14

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

 

• Flee the Love of Money and Youthful Lusts…Greed & Hedonism

1 Timothy 6:11

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

2 Timothy 2:22

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

 

My amazing wife often sings a portion of The Gambler by Kenny Rogers when we are in a tense moment or decision for some comic relief…”You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, Know when to fold ’em, Know when to walk away, And know when to run…”

I want to establish two more principles to help us when we are battling a season or moment  of temptation. If you FIND these two things in the Arena of Temptation, you will FIND yourself winning more victories!

Find the Scars. These can be physical, emotional, mental etc. The Scars speak to the CONSEQUENCES of sin. As we understand the consequences we often avoid crossing the line.

• The Scars of Christ Himself, Your High Priest. The pivotal point in the Gospel story for Thomas, the Doubter, was when Jesus showed Him his scars after the Resurrection.  I believe we are healed by His wounds and the resulting scars are evidence of His Resurrection. Contemplate the great love and sinless suffering sacrifice He made for you. He paid in full for what you are about to do, this love will often turn our heart in the right direction. Jesus was marred and beaten beyond recognition. His love should be enough to turn our ways to Him.

• Consider the Scars of Others:  The Scars of Israel should be enough to warn us the cost of rebellion.  The Scars of blind Samson, the grotesque eye sockets that once held the eyes of the mighty Samson. We can learn from the battles of others to avoid the same foolishness or wisdom.

• Consider Your Own Scars: Don’t forget the bitter consequences of your past choices that ended in unnecessary affliction and hardship. I now have scars on my body that remind me of a foolish lifestyle that by God’s grace I am still alive. 

Find the Exits: When you go into a movie theatre or a dark room you look for the Exit Signs.  They are often illuminated and stand out in dark surroundings. FINDING the EXIT SIGNS means disciplines or actions the Christian can adopt to escape the temptation and walk away unscathed. Here are only of few Exit Signs:

• Gratitude:  Israel grumbled in the wilderness when it came to provision. When we adopt an attitude of Gratitude we exit an arena of unbelief and negativity

• Submission:  When you get around rebellious people. Flee the rebellion and hang out with humble positive people. 

• Respect for Authority and God Himself: Joseph fled Potiphar’s wife out of both gratitude and respect for his employer. Further, Joseph was clear-minded and sober so he assessed the situation before he fled saying (Gen.39:9), “No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

• Sing Praise: The Psalms says the Lord will surround His people with songs of deliverance.  Start singing when or turn on worship music when you sense a battle coming your way.  Saul would call David, the Sweet Psalmist of Israel, to sing songs in his house when he was depressed. “So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.” (1 Sam.16:23)

• Accept Help: Lot and his family were led out of Sodom and Gomorrah by angels. Sometimes we need to listen and follow godly counsel and friends around us and leave a relationship, a lifestyle or mindset. 

Father, we thank you that you have given us so many resources to face temptation. You have given us Word of God which is the Sword of the Spirit to keep our enemy form climbing all over us. You have give us the Holy Spirit who dwells within us as the One who fills us divine knowledge and wisdom so we would not be ignorant of our human frailty nor the strategies of the devil. Father, you have given us the fellowship of the body of Christ to encourage us , stand with us, and hold us accountable as we together live to glorify You be conformed to the likeness of Your Son Jesus Christ. Father, further reveal to us the glory of Your Son as the Second Adam and the High Priest, so we can love you and those around us more deeply and obediently with our heart, soul, mind and strenth. AMEN

   

 

When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

Luke 4:13

Hmmmm…the devil is an opportunist. Temptation presents itself in the most vulnerable of times. Satan can and will take full advantage when all the conditions are right to knock you and me out; to break our will for the things of God; and distract us from our calling with lesser things. 

Let’s investigate the SEASONALITY AND SPECIFICITY OF TEMPTATION…

The word for “opportune” is the familiar Greek word for SEASON or KAIROS.  This is a word rich in meaning and application for the believer. 

kairós – time as opportunity…is derived from kara (“head”) referring to things “coming to a head” to take full-advantage of… is “the suitable time, the right moment, a favorable moment” (DNTT, 3, 833).

Seasons can describe opportunities pregnant with God’s purposes (Gal.4:4). KAIROS can also be used to forewarn the Christian that Satan is attacking with hellish fury to thwart the purpose of God. Paul told the Corinthians he needed to “remain in Ephesus until Pentecost for a wide door of effective ministry had been opened, and there are many adversaries” (I Cor.16:8-9). We need discernment, like the sons of Issachar, “men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do,” (I Chron.12:32). 

A quick view of the history of salvation found in the Scripture will reveal several seasons or arenas temptation slithers into our immediate space and coils to strike us. Temptation is not only SEASONAL but SPECIFIC. In my home city of New Braunfels, TX, there is a tourist attraction called Animal World and Snake Farm  Zoo. Our first neighbor was the owner of this zoo and my daughter babysat his kids. The Snake Farm has one of the most extensive collections of North American venomous snakes in the world. The spectrum of the scaly skin color of these reptiles is beautiful to observe. Like the Ancient Serpent of Old, there is a beauty and a charming hypnotic wonder about snakes. In fact the Agur, in Proverbs, draws attention to “the way a serpent” moves in the midst of its environment is extremely difficult to understand or trace (Prov.30:19).  The New Testament teaches that the devil is extremely “crafty” and we should not be “ignorant of his schemes”, the strategies against us. Satan can promote himself as an “angel of light”. Jesus Himself, acknowledges that we should be “innocent as doves, but as wise as a serpent.” Jesus is certainly not advocating that we use deception and lies to promote the gospel. I believe what he is teaching is we need to recognize “opportunities” to do his work in such a way that draws as little attention to ourselves as possible. Jesus was so “wise” he was able to move and elude capture like a snake through the crowd that was ready to toss him off the cliff in his town of Nazareth.  He often forbid his disciples to not reveal to others who He was. Further, he forbid some of those healed to make the miracle know. The underground persecuted church understands this call to be “wise as serpents” at a deeper level than the communities of Christ in a season of favor and popularity. In any case, we must be careful to not over promote ourselves in pride. I am convinced the temptation Jesus faced on the “pinnacle of the temple” was premature self-promotion through signs and wonders. The Father promised RESURRECTION from the dead after the CROSS. We need the power of God to flow in love and humility not for the sake of money and self-aggrandizement. 

The whole temptation narrative in the Gospel’s can be described as  DOWNWARD movements. The Devil wants to tempt us to get on the ground with him and slither through life. 

The Devil wants to get you DOWN in excessive despair, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, unbelief, pride and fear. These are some of his main weapons.

BEND DOWN and turn these stones into Bread…issue of Provision…

THROW YOURSELF DOWN…issue of Divine Protection in the midst of Obedience…

BOW DOWN…issue of the Father’s Purpose to worship and serve Him alone…

Temptation will always suggest a “short-cut” or “another way” to get you to God’s provision, protection and purpose. 

 I was raised around snakes in the prairies of Colorado.  I had one venomous snake kill in my lifetime at the age of 12, a four foot Diamondback. My friends and I slew this mortal enemy with a trusty Cub Scout knife tied to a tree branch with a shoelace. Once we got it in the open we stoned it and then I cut its head off.  

The Scripture says that the devil brought the FULL SPECTRUM of temptations to Jesus.  Hebrews picks up this narrative and teaches, 

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

We MUST embrace Jesus, the great High Priest, as our source of strategic wisdom to overcome the strategies of the devil.  Our next blog will develop this truth more in depth as a STRATEGY to handle the inevitable and continuous nature of temptation. 

The following grid is not exhaustive, but reveals a few different seasons and specific temptations the follower of Jesus Christ encounters:

Jesus teaches us to pray daily, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”  The Father will never lead us to fall or stumble in sin…never! The issue is LEADERSHIP. The Holy Spirit is given to us to LEAD US to the Father…to lead us into paths of abundant life and purpose.  Satan comes to “kill, steal and destroy.” Jesus has come that the devils works of deception, sin and death would be destroyed. We need to reset our understanding that our heart can lead us into temptation because our heart is prone to being carried away with unhealthy impulses, thoughts and vain imaginations. My wife is an expert at “taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.” She has taught me Forgiveness is a lifestyle based on our union with Jesus. We need to guard our hearts from being trafficked by the world, the flesh and the devil..  As we allow the Holy Spirit to CONTINUALLY fill our heart with the love and power God we will be less likely to yield to temptation or tempt our brothers and sisters. God’s rich current love flowing in our heart will be less vulnerable to the temptations to carry out sin. 

Father, we humbly bow before you to train us in the Holy Spirit to be led by You. We draw near to You in the name of Jesus who overcame every temptation presented to Him.  We ask for strength to continue in the good work you have called us to fulfill. WE bow down to worship and serve You alone. Amen

Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.19 The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.(Habakkuk 3:19)

The next several weeks our blogs will focus on the Six Mountains of Matthew.  A brief survey reveals several PEAK moments in the life of Jesus where He is on a mountain doing the work of the Father.  Each mountain gives us insight into a specific revelation of Jesus Christ and the corresponding needful discipline of the Christian to walk in the “high places” of the Lord and learn His ways and heart.  

If we want to see victory in the valleys, we will first climb the mountains!

!❖ The Mountain of Temptation (Matt.4:8): The Discipline of Worshipping and Serving

❖ The Mountain of Revelation (Matt.5-7): The Discipline of Listening and Obeying

❖ The Mountain of Transformation (Matt.17:1-23) The Discipline of Beholding

❖ The Mountain of Prognostication (Matt.24-25) The Discipline of Watching & Praying

❖ The Mountain of Crucifixion (Matt.27) The Discipline of Believing

❖ The Mountain of the Great Commission (Matt.28:16-20) The Discipline of Waiting and Going

Read Matthew 4:1-13

The first “very high” mountain we observe is in Matthew 4:8 is the MOUNTAIN OF TEMPTATION. The follower of Jesus must come to embrace Jesus as the Second Adam and the High Priest. Jesus by His Spirit in us will help us navigate the mountainous terrain surrounding our temptations, lest we stumble and unnecessarily fall. When we face the Tempter, the Second Adam will help us practice righteousness “so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, having done everything, to stand firm” (Eph.6:13). Jesus, the High Priest will instill in us the value of “confession” our sins and faith in Him when we do sin. This is third of three (for Luke it is the 2nd temptation) temptations by the devil which Jesus faced ALONE in the wilderness. After this temptation Jesus the angels came and ministered to him and He began His powerful public ministry. The nature of this particular temptation was to exchange allegiance or loyalty from God to the Devil in order to secure power and fame.

Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (Matt.4:8-11)

What is “temptation” by definition? The Greek word is PEIRAZO which can be translated, “test or tempt”. The context determines whether the connotation is good or bad or mixture of both. The idea of PEIRAZO is that “temptation” or “testing” is meant to reveal what character is in the person. Therefore, we begin to see how critical the CONTEXT is to understanding this word. God “tests” us to refine us and bring out the best results in us. Satan “tempts” to bring out the worst in us to destroy us. The Source of the Test determines the goal of the temptation. Satan “tempts” us to be swept away with unbelief, pride and concupiscence into a life course of destruction. God “tests” us to refine our faith and trust in Him alone, to humble us in reliance upon His strength and to follow His impulses to lovingly help others.

Get this straight…God tests us all but tempts nobody.

The classic story that illustrates this mixture is portrayed in Peter’s denial that He knew Jesus while standing around a campfire during the trial of Jesus. Jesus warned Peter that Satan had desired to “sift” Peter but that He was praying for him that his “faith” would not fail.  The pride in Peter’s heart became the CONTEXT of Satan’s access.  Jesus permitted the “temptation”to refine Peter’s faith and “sift” out Peter’s impulsive pride. Jesus, the Second Adam, permitted Satan in order to purify Peter. Satan’s temptation was to destroy Peter’s faith and leave him in a ditch of unbelief and despair over his failure. Jesus “tested” Peter for his own good; Satan “tempted” Peter to walk away from his call to be a strategic leader in the emerging church. How unfathomable are the riches of God’s grace in Christ, who can allow an enemy to get in our “space” and seemingly get the upper hand, but then turn the our obvious  defeat back on the enemy in order to set us free from debilitating pride and self-righteousness. The Tempter can only go as far as God allows him. 

This single Wilderness encounter between Jesus and the devil reveals so much about the nature of evil, temptation and sin. There are three basic categories of temptation revealed in wilderness narrative.  As we climb the Mountain of Temptation we will gain a new perspective on how to walk in victory by God’s grace in the midst of evil, sin and a world gone crazy.

First, we will look at the nature of Temptation:

:➢ The Sourcing of Temptation

➢ The Seasonality of Temptation

➢ The Specificity of Temptation

Second, we will develop a strategy of obedience in the midst of temptation:

:➢ Normalizing Temptation

➢ Submitting to God

➢ Resisting the Devil

The Sourcing of Temptation

• The Devil: The Scripture is very clear on this point. The devil, the adversary, Satan is the primary source of all temptation. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness BUT He was “tempted by the devil.” If you are not careful, you can transfer the leading of the Spirit onto the leading of the devil. Luke’s narrative sheds further light on this distinction between the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of the Devil. Luke, who focuses both the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, shows that Jesus was “being led about the wilderness” by the Holy Spirit. The verb tense for “being led” is in the PASSIVE voice, suggesting He was under the influence or “filled” with the Spirit of God as he walked about. The word for “led” is also used for a ship being “driven or carried” along by the wind that fills its sails or a driving storm. Like Israel, who spent 40 years in the wilderness, was “carried” by God like an eaglet on the wings of an eagle.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. (James 1:13)

The Spirit of God is ALWAYS leading us toward victory and the purpose to serve and glorify God. God Himself has no sin nature, He is entirely and utterly pure and without mixture. There is nothing in God that would be vulnerable to being carried away by evil.  Satan learned through his temptations of the Son of God that there was nothing in Jesus that would cause Him to be carried away contrary to the will of the Father.

This leads to the second source of temptation…

• Humankind: People can be a source of temptation to what is sinful in the eyes of God. You and I can tempt someone to stumble. For the love of God, Paul warns strong Christians not to put “stumbling blocks” in front of weaker saints (1 Corinthians 14:13). I remember a specific instance I was led by a co-worker and friend to a place I should not have been. We were rooming together and we a few hours before we had to be on the tradeshow floor to represent our company. I was leaving the room because I wanted to get a swimming workout in before a long day on my feet. My roommate invited himself and said he would go with me. On the way, he suggested we go to another pool to work out that I did not know about. Oddly, we had to pay to get into this pool, at this point I should have realized this was not a good idea and fled for the other pool. I foolishly went along and the rest was an embarrassing page in my work history. Fortunately, God had mercy when I owned up to my actions.

*Sarah Tempted Abraham by Giving Hagar to Prematurely Fulfill Promise of an Heir (Gen.16)

*The Israelites Tempted Aaron to Fashion an Idol while Moses Delayed On Mount Sanai

*Peter Tempted Jesus to Avoid the Cross (Matt.16:23)

The other day I was speaking to a brother who has a drinking problem. He had broken off a relationship that was highly dysfunctional, even though he really cared about this person. However, this person had decided they did not want him in their life anymore.  He was living a sober life and had recovered a very good job that he had lost due to his drinking. One day he was unpacking some clothes that he had picked up from his former girlfriend’shouse. As he was unpacking she had put three bottles of whiskey in the midst of the belongings.  He was carried away with desire and drank all three bottles over the next few days of Christmas break. By the grace of God, hewas able to recover himself but nearly lost his home and job again. His X-girlfriend knew his weakness and wanted to see him fail in his sobriety.

If we are not careful, we can be a source of leading others to a “cess- pool” of carnality, sensuality or bitterness. We are called to “love one another” and lead each other to the depths of God’s love and fountain of His Spirit to drink deeply.

• The Human Heart: Temptation emerges from the blackness of our own heart. Our heart has the ability to tempt us to take a path of potential destruction. Listen closely to these two passages of truth from God’s word…

“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” (James 1:14)

“The heart is more deceitful than all else; And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Satan is limited in his power, knowledge and presence. I highly doubt Satan himself has the time to fiddle around with you. The “Devil made me do it” is a fundamental case of mistaken identity. The truth is “YOU made yourself do it.” However, you are in a battle against “spirits of wickedness”, the warfare is personal and it is strategic against us. You and I are culpable for our sins. People around you are also limited in their ability to influence for better or for worse. Yes, good company can corrupt bad morals. We need to be a force for the goodness and grace of God. The problem with evil and sin is it resides in the human heart…YOUR HEART…MY HEART. Our hearts lead us and tempt us to disobey God. Jesus was alone in the wilderness; his only interaction was with the Father, the angels, the wild beasts and the Devil. He was tempted in every possible way we have been tempted but HE WAS WITHOUT SIN. His heart was wholly devoted in His Father in perfect love and obedience.

However, we still wrestle with our sin nature. Romans 7 is the watershed for understanding evil, sin and temptation.

If we can learn to wrestle with God in our falleness, we can learn to stand strong in the day of temptation by the grace of God.

For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate……I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good…22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:15,19,21-25)

Some scholars would argue this is Paul’s struggle BEFORE his conversion to Jesus Christ. The argument is understandable because someone truly “born of God” does not “practice sin” according to the Apostle John. However, John and all the Apostles teach that Christians do in fact SIN AFTER BAPTISM(1 John 1:1-9). The early church really struggled with how to handle post-baptismal sins. WHY? They believed in the radical nature of our conversion to Jesus Christ and the impartation of the divine nature which can’t sin. They rightly believed that the grace of repentance truly laid the axe to the root of sin, thus, expecting the fruit of the Spirit to flourish in the new believer. Water Baptism was often performed only once per year on Easter Sunday. WHY? The new believer spent an entire year preparing through instruction, fastings, and watchings, renouncing the devil and his works. Before they would enter the waters of baptism they would “spit” on the ground and renounce the devil and his works. After baptism, they would anoint the new Christian with oil and pray they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. I do not advocate this kind of approach to spirituality as it may tie “saving grace” to the sacrament of Water Baptism. However, there is something redemptive in the seriously sober approach to deep repentance and preparation to walk as a Christian to face the world, the flesh and the devil. The early church leaned toward the expectation that the Christian should be sinning far less as they grow in holiness. The modern evangelical church leans toward a licentiousness that expects Christians to fall and fall often. We must embrace the paradox of our two natures. I am both a saint and sinner. We are pursuing holiness in a body not yet redeemed and by the grace of God and the resident Holy Spirit bring forth fruit in keeping with our repentance and faith in God.

THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE IN CHRIST JESUS, BUT THERE IS CONVICTION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT (Romans 8:1)

Once we embrace that truth that our “heart” can be a source of temptation we will guard it with the vigilance of Christ. We will give the indwelling Christ full access to every room of our heart to full occupy us and transform us on a daily basis.

The devil is the father of lies. He promises everything and delivers nothing. Do not be fooled…he can’t give you all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He can’t give what does not belong to him. The truth is all things belong to the Son and will eventually be subjected to the Father.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. (1 Cor.15:20-24)

Worship God and serve Him alone and the devil will fail to distract or derail you and will flee from you!

Father, we humbly bow before You. You are the Father of lights, the Father all goodness who works all things together for Your glory and our joy. You are the source of “testing” for our own good. You are not the author of temptation; you do not seek to lead us on paths that would bring out the worst in us. In fact, you “deliver us from evil”. Father, you seek worshippers who come to You in ny grace and in the Spirit of truth. Satan seeks worshippers to fall down before him in a spirit of deception and lies, for he is the father of lies. We choose to bow down before You and not fall down before the the Devil. We rededicate ourselves to gain only what you give to us in accordance with Your will. We reject the ‘shortcuts’ to prosperity and success built on pride. Give us the humility of Jesus to reject all premature solicitations of the devil to circumvent your provision. We devote ourselves again to walk as Your true worshippers and servants. We trust you to protect us while we walk with You. AMEN

Read Matthew 4:1-25

This narrative by Matthew reveals the marks or evidences of living a life yielded to the Holy Spirit. I have included an old journal entry from a couple of years ago for your perusal. I used the word “LED” Matthew 4:1. However, I then found where the word “LED” is used by Luke in his gospel in reference to the life of Jesus being “LED” by the Spirit.

The Leadership of the Holy Spirit is not a bed of roses nor is it always a bed nails.

The first time I hugged my wife I fell over a railing into a prickly rose bed. As Cheri picked out the thorns in my arm and side, the Holy Spirit told me our relationship would be both a fragrance and painful. He led us into our marriage but warned us it would not be easy but it would be rewarding.  We have experienced great joy and sorrow…this is the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire in relationships…mingled joy and sorrow!

Surely the Spirit will lead us beside a ‘still waters and restore our soul’. He will also lead us to stop destructive behavior or attitudes that can destroy our soul. The Spirit will lead us to seasons of solitude and intense relationship. The Spirit can’t be controlled, but He requires our self-control or yielded-ness. We may be led to a bloody field of courage or a green pasture of retreat. The Holy Spirit will lead us into the AWE of God.

THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE MUST PRECEDE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE NEXT MOVE OF GOD WILL BE MARKED BY REPENTANCE AND A RECOVERY OF THE AWE OF GOD. THE FATHER INTENDS TO EXTUBATE THE CHURCH FROM ITS OVER-RELIANCE ON PROGRAMS, CONFERENCES, LITERATURE, DEMOGRAPHIC STUDIES AND MARKETING TOOLS. WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE WILL BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE LITURGY. THE CHRONOS WILL SUBMIT TO THE KAIROS. THE ROCK WILL RULE THE CLOCK WHILE WE LEAVE THE DOCK OF PLAYING IT SAFE.

Now is the Time to board the ship of Jesus Christ and open the sails to a fresh wind of the Spirit to carry us forward to new lands, new horizons and new challenges. 

ENJOY THE JOURNEY LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD!

How do you know when you are “high”? Under-the-influence.

I was HIGH in the Sierra Nevada Mountains several times as a teenager growing up in Northern California in the 1970’s. The summer of 1980 I graduated from high school and our seniorclass celebrated by going to Hawaii for $600.  However, my closest five friends (4 swimmer’s and a hockey player) we went back packing for $60 in Desolation Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Yes, I did inhale… a lot. I will never forget catching a Golden Trout in the above timberline Mary’s Lake. We hopped through glacier fields, fished in lakes and streams, and built campfires together. One night we freaked out that our campsite was being invaded by fresh water crawdads.  When ‘under the influence’ everything around you seems so raw and primordial.  You endanger yourself and others, but in that moment of impaired judgement you are often more willing to take risks OR you can become paranoid.  I never did hard drugs just marijuana and alcohol.  The physical evidence of being ‘HIGH’ was blood-shot eyes,  euphoria, extreme hunger, laughter, desire to hang out with others, dreaming about the future etc. You may say things and do things under normal circumstances you would never say or do. Basically, when you are high on drugs or alcohol you have yielded yourself to an outside stimulant or depressant to get INSIDE you and influence your thinking and behavior. If you are not careful, this can lead to disastrous results and lifelong addictions or it can just be a phase of life that is discarded like old clothes that you have outgrown.  

Thankfully, in January of 1981 I went on a Youth Retreat to the Sierra Nevada’s. I had been recently born again and had just quit swimming in college a couple of weeks earlier. This act of obedience (See December 31, 2019 Sink or Swim? Blog) enabled me to attend the retreat. This gathering in the mountains changed the course of my life forever. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ while I was in a pre-service prayer meeting with my Youth Pastor John Baffert and my good friend Kerry Kingsland. I was praying for individuals in the youth group and a burden came on me for one of the girls in the group. As I prayed I begin to feel intensity in me and heat come upon me and I began to weep. The weeping and burden then became a stream of communication to the Father with very simple words that I thought sounded like a foreign language. John told me what was happening and I was filled with life and joy and peace. I felt as though I was completely new and nothing mattered but what God was doing in my life…nothing mattered but Him and how I could help others. The evening gathering started with some songs of praise. John then asked me to share with everyone (about 40 people) what happened to me during prayer. As I began to talk about my experience the floodgates of heaven opened in me and above me and I was totally immersed by Jesus in the Holy Spirit. I began to tremble and weep as my heart was overflowing and thoughts began to fill my mind with a prophetic word (I did not know it was a prophesy). God was so near to me, He was IN me and wanting to communicate His words to His people. So I began to prophesy, “I am Jesus Christ, I am the Resurrection and Life, I am the God of the Living. I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!” When I finished proclaiming this, it was like a storm moved into the room and people began to weep and cry and pray. People were kneeling, sitting, standing and laying on the ground as God’s Spirit swept through the room. Many began to pray in tongues and pray in English. We started praying for each other and it was like a river had filled a Wadi and washed us down into a pile of wood floating down a river together. I will never forget several hours later sitting on a bench by a window with Steve Roberts (now a retired Army Chaplain) and we were so filled with joy and laughter because we could not speak in English to each other even though we tried! Every single person in that gathering was filled with the Spirit of God, some for the first time. The one gentleman did not manifest supernatural communication with and or for God, Burt, had an open vision. Burt saw a shaft of light come down from heaven and settle on my head while I was prophesying. In the shaft of light, he saw giant drops of rain descending one drop at a time from heaven.

THIS NIGHT I EXPERIENCED GETTING HIGH, GETTING FILLED WITH GOD’S SPIRIT TO OVERFLOWING. JESUS BAPTIZED ME…IMMERSED ME…TOGETHER WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Thankfully, I learned early in my Christian experience that there are three primary Baptism’s for the follower of Jesus:1. Baptism into the Body of Jesus Christ. Through the New Birth the Holy Spirit places us into the Body of Jesus, the Church, as an individual vital member and minister (Eph.4).  The initial Evidence is we want to fellowship and serve alongside other Christians.2. Baptism in Water. The minister baptizes us in physical water. The Evidence is we get wet!3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit and fire. The Evidence is we receive supernatural power to communicate the Gospel in love. I spoke in tongues (and still do) and prophesied. This watershed moment is meant to become a river of purpose, power, and purity by God’s Spirit. 

The key is we need to CONTINUALLY be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-21). The truth is you may have been “baptized in the Holy Spirit” 38 years ago or 1 year ago but you’re not currently “filled with the Spirit”. Oh my friend, you are INDWELT by the Holy Spirit as a Christian, but are you currently in tune, in step, UNDER THE INFLUENCE Of THE HOLY SPIRIT? My father-in-law pointed out many years ago, “you are like a glass, when you get bumped what comes out is what you are filled with.”

Our story in Matthew 4 begins with the narrative that Jesus ‘after he was baptized by John in the River Jordan, was then filled with the Spirit (according to Luke 4:1) and was led about the wilderness by the Spirit. After Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days, the Gospel of Luke records, “And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through the entire surrounding district. And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all” (Luke 4:14-15).

Jesus is our example of living for the glory of God the Father. Anyone truly “born of God” has an innate desire to know God, obey God and please God. Jesus said it this way, “if you love Me, obey my commandments.” 

Matthew 4 through the lenses of the life of Jesus reveals several EVIDENCES of being High in the Spirit…filled with the Spirit …led by the Holy Spirit.

• The Evidence of Opposition (Matt.4:1-11)

Opposition is often a clear indication that you are being led by God’s Spirit.  My beloved  father-in-law, an International Pentecostal preacher for 60 years, often said, “What is theEVIDENCE of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?…TROUBLE!” Keep in mind, God will also “oppose” us because of our pride. We need Divine Permission…Divine Leadership to enter this warfare wilderness. 

You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith,” (1 Peter 5:6-9)

Spiritual warfare is not an option for the Christian. Confrontation with an adversary should not just be expected but provoke our preparation. We must walk in humility.  The image employed here by Peter is that of a slave washing the feet of the Master’s guest(s). Jesus himself put on a slaves apron and washed His disciples feet the night of Passover and His betrayal. He washed the feet of Judas, who would soon be filled with Satan and use his feet to guide the Jewish religious authorities and Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane under the cover of night. We must be awake and sober. Isolation is also a ploy of the Devil.  In our narrative Jesus was “led” into the lonely wilderness “to be tempted by the Devil.”  Too often our ISOLATION is our own stupidity, and the devil pounces on us like a African lion on an unsuspecting water buffalo. 

The Holy Spirit leads us to know and understand WHAT IS WRITTEN to prepare us for the inevitable temptation. We must know accurately the word of God before the war!

• The Evidence of a Home Base and a Divine Message(Matt.4:12-17)

Jesus filled with the Spirit and power had a home church in Capernaum and a Divine Message.

Jesus was LED to withdraw into Galilee because of the arrest of his cousin John. Hostility had built in Judea toward John because of John’s calling out Herod’s adulterous relationship. In Nazareth (where he was raised) the citizens were at first “speaking well” of Jesus.  However, they were a bit cynical thinking to themselves, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”.  Jesus performed a miracle in the synagogue of Nazareth.  His teaching and healing were met with resistance and unbelief in his hometown. In fact Luke writes they were “filled with rage” and they “led” him to the brow of a cliff and intended to toss Jesus to His death (Luke 4:28-29). Jesus’ knew His hour of death was not to be in Nazareth but in Jerusalem in the future, so he passed through the crowed unharmed. 

Popularity may or may not be evidence that you are following the lead of the Holy Spirit. We must have discernment to avoid unnecessary conflict and or the lure of popularity.

Jesus then “SETTLED” in Capernaum with a home base out of Peter’s house which was the street from the synagogue. The House Church movement began at this juncture in the history of the church. The idea behind “settle” is to have an address, somewhere your reside. In order for you and I to get a drivers license we have to have a permanent address, somewhere we can verify that we live.

Here are some examples how this word for “settle” (Gk. Katoikeo) is used in the New Testament. All these point to a place of belonging or possession.

*God “settled” in Jerusalem in the Temple (Matt.23:21)

*The fullness of the God head “dwelt” in Christ (Col.1:19)

*Christ and through the Holy Spirit “settles” or “dwells” in the heart of the believer (Eph.3:17;James 4:5)

*Demons “dwell” or “possessing” a man (Matt.12:45)

SPECIFICITY: A follower of Jesus has a place they call home and they have a specific message.

Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! (Matt.4:17)

• The Evidence of an Intense Desire to Fellowship and Pour Your Life Into Others (Matt. 4:18-20)

This evidence kind of follows along the line of recognizing a specific home church that you belong. However, we all know you can attend church but not be truly in meaningful relationships within that church community.  I have been aSenior Pastor, an elder and a congregant in churches. I have also been ABSENT from the local church for seasons.  I know that ATTENDING church does not been you are SERVING or PARTICIPATING in the life of that church. We can become experts at ducking responsibility and accountability in the body of Christ. I remember a season I was attending a church and some of the most loving brothers were pursuing me because they honestly loved me and cared about me.  They liked me and even were interested in learning from me. However, I was filled with so much “church pain” I finally and basically said to a dear brother over coffee, “I don’t want to change for anyone but God.”  My wife told these friends “Jeff does not want to be man-handled”. WOE…that was my pivot to some pretty rough roads for next couple of years.  What sounded so spiritual and in tune with God and God-alone was really the voice of satanic pride that led me to isolation and near destruction. We need each other to “change”.  If you don’t believe that you had better take inventory of yourself and repent of pride.

When Jesus called John and his brother James, the Scripture says they were “mending” their nets (Matt.4:21). This word is such a powerful foreshadow and picture of the ministry of the Apostles. This same word “mending” (Katarizo) is translated “equipping” of the Christian for the work ministry (Eph.4:12). In Galatians 6:1, KATARIZO is used to describe a fallen Christians who needs to be restored. The idea here is medical imagery of bone or joint being reset and healed to fully function again. In Luke 6:40, KATARIZO is used to the process and progression of true discipleship. A teacher “equipping” with instruction and living life together with his or her students to bring about transformation in order for them to then replicate the paradigm. Discipleship was never intended to be solely in an academic setting or relegated to a pulpit or program in the church. True discipleship was modeled by Jesus around the Sea of Galilee with his disciples. He modeled and they watched. He “mended” men and women. He then let them do what He did while He watched. Then He left and let them continue His work in the power of the Spirit

.• The Evidence of Truth and Power and Spreading the Influence of God’s Goodness (Matt.4:23-25)

A Spirit-filled follower of Jesus will walk in both truth, power.  The Spirt-filled believer will release an overall DIVINE VIBE that the ‘goodness’ and grace of God is the most powerful force on planet earth! People are exposed to the goodness of God through us and this goodness leads to repentance. People get saved by God’s grace around Spirit-filled and led Christians. As we cleave closely to the goodness of God we will witness the defeat of evil.  As we follow closely the leadership of God’s Spirit we will always find a reason to rejoice even in the most difficult of circumstances because we know God’s Goodness does not retreat in the face of anything but charges ahead to victorious transformation of our lives and those around us! The love of God pouring through the believer will be manifest in proclaiming in word and deed the presence of Jesus. I see the triad of this verse as Revelation, Demonstration, and Transformation. We need a Truth-encounter and a Power-encounter with the living God. Jesus, according to Luke, was filled and driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 4:1). Jesus fasted, prayed and obeyed for 40 days. Luke then records, Jesus came OUT OF THE WILDENERNESS IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT and began to do good works, preach, tick people off,  disciple others, heal the sick and cast out demons (Luke 4:14-15). 

“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing goodand healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him”. (Acts 10:36-38).

• The Evidence of Holiness, Genuine Prayer and Intimacy with the Father (Romans 8:12-17)

“ So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you [f]must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery [g]leading to fear again, but you have received [h]a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

Wow…this is power pact load of transformative truth. The EVIDENCES revealed her have more to do with SANCTIFICATION, the process by which the Christian BECOMES RIGHTEOUS! We are justified freely by the grace of God. We are sanctified by the person and work of the Holy Spirit in us. The evidence we are being led by the Spirit in our sanctification is taught in these verses. We know we are cooperating with the Holy Spirit

*New Impulses (Romans 8:12) You are have a new sense of freedom to be governed by God’s ways, His heart and impulses.

*New Behavior (Romans 8:13) You Sin Less! The doctrine of mortification teaches us we are “putting to death the deeds of the body”.

*New Leadership (Romans 8:14) We are sons of God and we seek to be led by the Spirit of God in our motives and choices.

*Fearless Love to Draw Near to the Father in Dependence and Prayer (Romans 8:15-16)

*The Assurance of Salvation (Romans 8:16). We no longer fear damnation. On the contrary, the Spirit of God communicates that we belong to the Father and He will lead us through this life to a heavenly home prepared for us in heaven.

*The Best is Always Yet to Come (Romans 8:17) As “heirs” we will receive all God the Father has freely given us in Christ. Our full redemption and inheritance is yet to be possessed.

(PRAYER)

Father, we are so very grateful you recorded the life of your Son Jesus in the Gospels.  He is our example of a life lived “well-pleasing” to You.  We realize how far we fall short of following His example. We cry out for mercy and grace to intercept our misguided attempts to be effective. We specifically ask you will teach us the difference between being led by the Spirit and led by our best intentions. We do not need good intentions, but we need Your Good Spirit to pervade our spirit, our heart, our will, our emotions, our thoughts and the deeds of our body. Immerse us in the lifestyle born of God and continually filled with the love of God and obedient faith to produce the fruit that brings you into forefront of our lives and those around us. AMEN

“Now John Himself had a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt about his waist and his food was locusts and wild honey…. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Matthew 3:4; Luke 1:15-17)

John was the only son of a priest. His lifestyle of simplicity, starkness and poverty was likely a self-imposed choice. He was dedicated as a Nazirite forbidden to drink any alcohol. He was the first disciple of Jesus to be filled with the Spirit while in the womb of Elizabeth.
As you read today, Ask yourself the question, “What am I willing to change about myself to remove obstacles to prepare a clear straight path so others can know JESUS, the wonderful Lord and Savior?”

Read Matthew 3:1-17

John was a prophet. He was the cousin of Jesus. Mary went to visit Aunt Elizabeth when John was in the 3rd Trimester of development. The Scripture reveals that John “leaped for joy” in the womb of Elizabeth when she heard the greeting of Mary. Perhaps this was the last time John was happy. He was the son of priest who grew up in the deserts of Judea rather than the courts of the temple. In that parched cold and hot wilderness John grew in his capacity to listen to the heart of God, growing in grace and wisdom. In the wilderness, unplugged from common society John became the Baptist, the Way Maker. How much wiser and gracious might we be if we would but unplug from our smartphones, laptops and SmartTV’s?

Silence is the home of the Word. In Solitude we can receive the Spirit to then bear to the community (Isaiah 30:15).

John was such an enigma. Jesus said there was no one greater born of a woman than His cousin. He was highly esteemed by the Lord Himself. “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (ESV,Matt.11:11)

John the Baptist lived with one purpose only…TO POINT OTHERS TO JESUS CHRIST. The main two points of John’s message was…

1) Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
2) Jesus would baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt.3:11).
John was the epitome of having a laser focus and free from distractions.

From the moment “he leaped with joy” in the womb of Elizabeth, baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and was finally beheaded by Herod…John did not get out of his lane. John stayed his course until it cost him his life. His lifestyle was a rugged individual choice to not be softened by the plush culture of religion and Hellenization. His lifestyle was a preparation for the opposition and persecution he would attract.

We are entering into a New Year. Resolutions are being made to present a better version of ourselves to the world. Let’s think about John the Baptist for a moment. John’s resolute character was based on REVELATION he received from God. His outward dress and diet simply reflected his inward devotion to a higher purpose and cause of Jehovah.

Personally, I enjoy fine dining and occasional fast food. I have become much more careful with what I eat the older I have become and for health reasons. My wife is a phenomenal scratch cook. In the morning, give me a couple of fried eggs with a slice of whole grain Dave’s bread and cup of tea and I’m good until late into the afternoon. I was raised with a very simple taste in clothes. I never recall my father or mother shopping much for clothes. We got our clothes for each year at Christmas and before school began….that’s it. I had a pretty simple upbringing when it came to food and clothing. My parents never openly drank and certainly never saw them intoxicated. Thank God! However, compared to John, I lived in the lap of luxury. I did love to wander the prairies of Pueblo during the summer months. I would spend hours often by myself pursuing snakes, tarantulas, lizards and birds, basically, anything that moved may be caught and or killed.

John knew who he was…he was a prophet…no apologies, no excuses…John was going to bring the word of the Lord unapologetically to whoever would listen. Judgement is coming you better repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.

The wardrobe and diet of John I believe speaks to our lifestyle as followers of Jesus. Personally, I believe to some degree Jesus was more pleasant to be around than John. Jesus hung out at parties; John hung out in the desert. Hygiene and Cuisine are important. I went through a phase where once a year I would go to Macy’s or Nordstrom and search for the SCENT of the year for me. After much ado about nothing, I would find MY SCENT and those around me would suffer the lingering effects. We should be more eager to manifest the “sweet aroma” and “the fragrance” of Jesus’ victory everywhere we go. Jesus addressed “food and clothing” as essential but a potential distraction from awareness of God the Father’s presence and provision in our life. How many Instagram’s, snapchats and Facebook posts about our greasy or grainy lunch does this world need to behold. Jesus challenges the Jew to not behave like the Gentiles.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ( Matthew 6:31-33)

The Greek verb for “SEEK First” is “ zētéō – properly, to seek by inquiring; to investigate to reach a binding (terminal) resolution; to search, “getting to the bottom of a matter” (HELP Word Studies).

Interestingly, Jesus refers to the Gentiles disposition toward hydration, food and clothing as those who “EAGERLY SEEK”. The word is an intensive verb form of ‘zeteo’ by adding the preposition ‘epi’ or ‘epi-zeteo’. Jesus is saying the Gentiles sole craving and all consuming appetite focuses on what or when they will drink next, wear next and eat next….hmmmm sounds familiar doesn’t it?!

John the Baptist’s appetite or intense craving is for the word of God, the presence of God and the things of the Holy Spirit. Contrary to the Gentiles, John was fixated on where, when and how God would appear to His beloved creation. Jesus during His fast in the wilderness battled the Devil with the understanding that the word of God is more nourishing than bread. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt.4:4). Jesus compared obeying the will of the Father to eating a good meal, ““My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work (John 4:34)… For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink (John 6:35). Communion and Union with the Father and Son marked with loving trust and obedience is the TRUE FOOD that feeds the muscles of our souls. As the old saying goes, “you are what you eat.” There is urgency in these days to be careful what we DRINK. Jesus warns against ‘drunkenness’ in the last days, advocating SOBRIETY and PRAYERFULNESS and being DRESSED IN READINESS. Paul tells the Ephesians to not pursue drinking too much, but on the contrary “be filled with the Holy Spirit”. There were some seasons in my walk where I was more focused on drinking ‘spirits’ than being immersed in the Holy Spirit. The net result was a lot of wasted time. By God’s grace He has drawn me out Babylon into the wilderness and back into the flow of His Spirit and Word!

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. (Ephesians 5:16-21)

WE NEED TO GO ON A BIBLICAL DIET…THE WORD, THE SPIRIT AND WILL OF THE FATHER!

The time is NOW to “put off” the old man and “put on” the new man. Wake up and Rise up and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regards to its lusts”. John clothed himself with an abrasive coat of camels long hair to remind himself that “he must decrease” and Jesus must increase. John lived in a spirit of repentance knowing the judgement of God was coming. John’s sparse diet reminded him to commit fully to doing the will of God according the word of God.

REPENTANCE IS ALWAS IN VOGUE!

Meditate on the following Scriptures in the spirit and power of John of the Baptist. These Scriptures will help us BECOME FOREUNNERS PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST:

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 13:14: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

1 Corinthians 15:53: For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

2 Corinthians 5:2-4: For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.

Ephesians 4:24: and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Ephesians 6:11: Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Colossians 3:12: So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Colossians 3:14: Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

1 Thessalonians 5:8: But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

1 Peter 3:3: Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;

Father, we humbly come to you in the name Jesus. We repent of our softness in such critical days of your activity. Transform our appetites so we will eagerly seek You with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. May we draw by Your Spirit the most essential qualities of your servant John who prepared the way to behold Your Son Jesus as the Lamb of God who saves us from our sins. Toughen our skin and tenderize our hearts with the salt of your grace, mercy and peace. Invigorate our minds with the silence and solitude of the wilderness as we disconnect from World Wide Web of deception. May you teach us humility and simplicity in the lonely places, so we can be strong and helpful to those who are crushed in the market place, bruised in households of abuse and broken in spirit by constant failure. Father give us A VOICE that weeps in the wilderness and rejoices when one sinner repents and enters the kingdom of heaven. AMEN