Temptations

          I was about fourteen years old when the owner of the farm came up to me and gave me some instructions for that day's work. I was to plow a field all by myself. I had to make the first furrow and then finish the job. My tractor was a Ford Ferguson with two fourteen inch plows. My instructions were, “Go to a space about one third of the way on one end, pick an object at the opposite end of the field, drop the plow into the ground, open it wide open, release the clutch and never take your eyes off of that object. If you do, the first furrow will be crooked and all the rest the same way. It was a lesson vital in the plowing of a field and also a lesson vital in everyone's spiritual life. First John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 

           We read in Ephesians 6 that there are “methods” that the devil uses in his constant battle with people like you and me. He used this same method in the Garden of Eden and He used it again in Matthew 4 in the temptation of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is also recorded in Luke chapter four. John then writes in First John 2 about the same three methods. When we think about our own lives and the sin that is in them, we can see that they are from the same three routes that Satan has used for centuries. He found a good method and has used it ever since the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:6 says, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” All three temptations are in this one verse, “good for food,” “pleasant to the eyes,” and “make one wise.” The same three avenues were used in the temptation of Christ in the wilderness: stones to bread, shown the kingdoms and jump off the pinnacle. It is no wonder that Satan uses the same three methods today. Our own lives are plagued with pictures that enter through our “eye gate.” Temptation's pictures enter into our minds and the battle begins. In today's culture, it is so easy to pursue the temptation until it is fulfilled and sin is realized in the life of the believer. Proverbs 4:25 reminds us, “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” It is the same instruction that was given me in making the first furrow, “Keep your eyes on the object at the end of the field. Don't look to the left, nor to the right. Look straight ahead.” The life of the believer is going to be filled with temptations to look the other way, to see and follow after those things which are going to lead you to sin. It is the constant battle and as long as you are alive, it is going to be present in your life. Keep your eyes on the goal, which is heaven itself and He Who has made it all possible, the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Remember you are in the world, but not of the world. Remember that God has promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Remember that Christ is the Vine and you are one of the branches. If we know the tactics of the devil, then we should know that he has already been defeated by the resurrection as Christ was victorious over death. You and I will both be tempted in the days to come through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life but for us there is also victory in the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise God that Christ has won the battle.