Tuesday, 5 April 2022

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION PART 3: THE EXAMPLE OF ESAU AND JESUS (GENESIS 25:32 AND MATTHEW 4:1-11)

James 1:12(Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him).

Life is a battlefield and Christianity is a race; as a believer we are a citizen of heaven sent here on earth by our heavenly father for a purpose, and to fulfill this purpose there are so many forces that we need to contend with. The ability to overcome these forces is what makes us who we are in life; and one of those forces is temptation. The bible makes us understand that God will not allow us to be tempted with what he has not empowers to deal with. So, when next time you are confronted with temptation just looks for the escape route that God has created for you and flee. 1 Corinthians 10:13(There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make away to escape that ye may be able to bear it). Our success as a believer is measured by the number of battles we fought and won. Since temptation is not something that is peculiar to only one person, overcoming it should be easier than we think. The bible is our guide; it is there for us to study and learn from those who have overcome temptation and learn from what they do and follow their footstep. In this segment we are going to look at the life of Jesus and Esau. Jesus and Esau were both tempted with food, one overcame and was given a name that is above every other name both in heaven and on earth; the other failed and his destiny was given to another person. Matthew 4:2(And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be Son of God, command that these stones be made bread). What Satan wanted when he asked Jesus to turn the stones to bread was to steal his destiny but because he valued his assignment and knew who he was he overcame. He stole from the first Adam and put man in bondage he would have succeeded in stealing from the second Adam if not that he was fully aware of who he was. Esau on the other hand collected food from Jacob and sold his birthright to him. Genesis 25:32(Esau said behold I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink and rose up and went his way; thus Esau despised his birthright). Thank God for Jesus who refused to sell his birthright to Satan, you and I would have still remained in bondage by now. The same way; if you sell your birthright which is your destiny to temptation many that are waiting for you to manifest will wait in vain and you will have to give an account to God why you refuse to manifest because the bible says that the whole world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). Temptation is the time to choose between God and Satan and those who choose God to the point of death are the overcomers; those who have the “If I perish I perish mentality”. Some temptation comes in the form of life or death situations; but it is a deception because if you endure the Lord will send help to you; the same way He sent help to Jesus (Matthew 4:11). He is still the same yesterday, today and forever. God cannot stand those who despise what he gave them. Please be careful. Samson despised his anointing; he chose beauty over what God gave him. He allows pride to overtake him and he won't listen to his mother's instruction.  The Angel spoke to his mother about his destiny so she was her guide. The same way the Angel spoke to Mary about Jesus' destiny and she guided him; for she told the disciple whatever he asked you to do.  Even though he did not want to but because he recognizes the place of his mother in his ministry he performs his first miracle and he was enthroned (John 2:5); but Samson despises the instruction of his mother and his two eyes were plucked out.  If your two eyes will cause you to sin against God, pluck it out before your enemies do it for you. A real warrior killed themselves before their enemies capture them and that’s why Jesus said if your one eye will cause you to sin, you pluck it out. Temptation always comes when you are close to your goal in life; it may come in the form of bribes, being forced to tell lies etc; so be vigilant. Receive grace to endure to the end in Jesus name. The bible says God is faithful, who will never allow you to be tempted above that you can bear. If you are not a child of God, it will be very hard to enjoy His fullness. Friends, here is another opportunity to align yourself with God in case you have not done that by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior.

Lord Jesus, I come to you today, I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself, forgive me my sins, and cleanse me with your precious blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God. Lord Jesus, I accept you as my Lord and savior. Now I know I am Born Again, Amen.

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