Victory Over the Third Source of Temptations
By: Bruce Wilkinson
Introduction
This is the last of the main sources of temptation for the believer. The world is external, the flesh is internal,
and this last is spiritual. The world is outside the man, the flesh is within the man, and the devil is beyond
the man. Unlike the world, the devil is a person, not a system. Unlike the flesh, the devil isn't you, but is ruthlessly
after you. You can stop yourself immediately from the temptations of the world and the flesh by taking appropriate
actions, but the devil is different. For that reason, we are going to look a bit more deeply into what the Bible
teaches about your victory.
What the Bible teaches
If your eyes could see the spirit world at this time, we would be literally shocked to our core. The Bible
is full of direct revelation about satan, our worst enemy. He is ruthless, cunning, deceitful, manipulative, dishonest,
and completely destructive. Unlike other temptations, he has nearly unlimited reinforcements to carry out his battle
plans.
" Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor
of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:10-12)
The reality of this intense struggle with this enemy stands out right before you-"we wrestle against principalities,
powers, rulers of dark places of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Too
many Christian men don't actually believe that they wrestle against "spiritual hosts" of wicked spirit
beings (which are known in the Bible as fallen angels or demons). Would you look once again at that verse? Note
that the Bible doesn't say that "some wrestle" or "Christians leaders wrestle" or "we
coexist with the fallen spirit beings on a mutual respect basis" but rather "we wrestle". In fact,
the struggles so intense that the Bible states we must "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might".
What happens if you are not walking with the Lord and therefore cannot tap into His might the way you need?
You don't really believe that in this one location the Bible is spinning fairy tales do you? You don't really believe
that you are the one person who is an exception to this, do you? You can't. But, if you are the majority among
Christian men today, you do. The Bible calls that type of unbelief which is rampant among Christian men as massive
"deception". And, guess who is the Ultimate Deceiver himself? Of course, Christian men couldn't be deceived
by the Deceiver, could they?
It's Up To You
There is a very clear reason why the Bible reveals so much truth about satan, and it's for our good. Specifically,
this passage exhorts us to know and live in light of our personal enemy so that "you may be able to stand
against" the enemy. Therefore, the goal of your enemy is clear: to make you fall, and continue to fall, and
remain a thoroughly defeated, nearly useless warrior in the Lord's army.
Perhaps you've heard others say, or even used the words yourself, that "It's too bad what happened to ______,
he fell and his life is in shambles". Somehow we think that he "just fell" rather than he "didn't
stand". Could it possibly be that he didn't sit down, he didn't trip, he was pushed! The enemy defeated yet
another man who carried the banner of Christ right into the ditch. Needlessly. Tragically.
This process of temptation from satan is described as "wrestling" and emphasizes the ongoing, current
struggle of the believer with his personal enemy. Unlike the Israelites who struggle against "flesh and blood"
enemies, the believer today struggles primarily against "spiritual rulers in high places". That means
you struggle directly and frequently with invisible foes. Could it be that numerous times you have "fallen"
were simply because you were concentrating on the wrong foe or no foe at all? Or because you just thought that
"life is tough" or "that person is really out to get me? or, or, or.
The final observation regarding this source of temptation is that you face not just the devil, but the "wiles"
of the devil. The root meaning wiles is strategies, plans, methods, tricks of deceit and cunning, feigning retreat
and attacking from another unexpected direction, making the best use of your weaknesses, etc. The same root word
is used in Ephesians 4:14 "the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive".
Therefore, since you face such a powerful foe, such an intelligent foe, such a large numbered foe, such a strategic
thinking foe, such an experienced foe (satan's been at it for thousands of years and knows humans better than any
other being in the universe except God Himself), do you feel the need to know and use God's Solution to this third
source of temptation?
Morning Bible reading:
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. 16 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. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever
therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The
spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Morning Prayer
Dear God,
I awaken with You on my mind, oh my Savior and Lord. How wonderful are Your affections to me and how magnificent
are Your gifts for me. The gift of my salvation will be continuously unwrapped for all eternity--how can I ever
express my gratitude and love? Then I remember that you made this world as man's dwelling place--everywhere I look,
I see Your creativity and flair for intricate beauty.
Lord, I desire to love You and not the world or the things of the world. I covet you--and You who dwell in me
are earnestly jealous for me. How can these things be except by your grace and mercy! I therefore deny the things
of the world system especially the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life which are not
from You. Lord, I want to make myself more and more of Your friend. Lead me in the way.
Afternoon Bible reading
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit
the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Galatans 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 22 But the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Afternoon Prayer
Dear Lord,
How often have I lived my life in the flesh! In fact, I so seldom "set my mind on things of the Spirit"--no
wonder that my life shows so little fruit of the Spirit like "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." How I long for the character of Christ rather than the fruit
of my flesh!
I confess the sin of living in my flesh rather than in the Spirit. I admit I have tried to improve my "flesh"
rather than crucify it! I have sought to pamper my flesh rather than "put it off" and "put on"
the new man in Christ. Lord, the ways of the flesh don't bring life nor joy but selfishness and distress. I repent
and confess my sin. I choose to walk in the Spirit so that I will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Thank You
for Victory through Your Holy Spirit.
Evening Bible Reading
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will
draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
Evening Prayer
Dear Great Warrior who Defeated all Enemies,
I bow in humility before You. I kneel, no I fall prostrate before You. None is like You in all the universe.
You have defeated Your enemies. You have defeated my enemies. None can stand before Your Victory. I submit to you
in all things and resist the enemy.
I am committed to personal holiness in times of temptation and therefore seek to "be strong in the Lord
and the power of His might" to "be able to stand against the whiles of the devil." Lord, I confess
my enemy has overrun me so many times because I have not heeded Your warnings nor put on Your armor and put it
on piece by piece. I am strong in the power of Your Might!
Yes, Lord!
