Matthew 26:41 «“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”»

Temptation does not arise only through trials. Even in seasons of comfort and pleasure, the devil seeks to entice us away from God’s will for our lives.

If you do not fall during times of trouble and adversity, you may still be tempted during seasons of pleasure and abundance.

The Bible says that Jeshurun became prosperous and turned away from God. In a time of ease and plenty, she was tempted to bow to the idols of a foreign land, thereby setting herself against God.

Whatever God gives us can become a test of our faithfulness and obedience.

When Satan is directly responsible for a temptation, we need God’s mercy to prevail, as demonstrated in the lives of Job and Jesus Christ.

We require an abundant measure of grace to stand firm, because Satan is a skilled deceiver.

Those who fall during seasons of ease and comfort have not yet overcome their lusts. They have not fully surrendered at Calvary.

Satan knows every area of a Christian’s weakness. He knows where we are most vulnerable and where he may prevail if we are tempted.

This is why Jesus instructed His disciples to watch and pray so that they would not fall into temptation. Even when the spirit is willing, the flesh may be weak.

Christians shouldn’t entertain any weakness; every weak area should receive strength by handing it over to Jesus at the feet of His Cross to handle.

Satan watches for vulnerable moments in every person’s life. He seeks opportunities to attack when we are most susceptible. No one is beyond the reach of temptation.

King David did not fall while he was fleeing through the wilderness and hiding from King Saul. He did not fall when he was hungry and thirsty, with six hundred men under his command.

He fell while relaxing in his upper chamber and observing a woman bathing. While others had gone to war, he remained at home and looked upon a naked woman.

If God tested you when you were unknown, He will certainly test you when you become prominent. In such seasons, many leaders lose their balance and fall under the watchful observation of the devil.

The human heart can grow cold toward God and His Word during times of abundance. It is often when people are highly favoured that Satan seeks to bring them down.

Consider Solomon. He did not fight many wars because his father had fought and conquered on his behalf. Consequently, he had time to pursue foreign women and princesses from idolatrous nations.

The hidden condition of many Christians is revealed by their desire to please people rather than God. Some leaders compromise their faith in an effort to retain wealthy members in their congregations, thereby falling into Satan’s schemes and forfeiting their crowns.

Whatever God gives us can become a test. He gave Abraham the promised child and tested him to determine whether he would be willing to offer him to God.

Had Abraham rejected the instruction, he would not have received the promise of possessing the gates of his enemies.

The rich man in the Gospel of Luke, whose land produced an abundant harvest, was tested to determine whether he would consider the needs of the poor. Instead, he thought only of himself—not even of his family or neighbours—and God called him a fool.

Satan uses every circumstance to determine whether we will glorify God or exploit His blessings to advance our selfish desires.

Satan may use whatever God gives us to divert our attention from the Giver to the gift. God gave Isaac to Abraham to test whether Abraham feared Him and would honour the Giver above the gift.

A Christian who cannot distinguish between trials and temptation is not firmly grounded in God’s Word.

When someone asks for your assistance, you should not assume that the person was sent by the devil and refuse to help. Otherwise, your accuser may find grounds to bring a charge against you before God.

Even when God tested Abraham concerning his son, Abraham did not say, “The devil is the one speaking.” He obeyed the instruction he received and became the possessor of his enemies’ gate.

Gehazi, who was expected to inherit a double portion of Elisha’s anointing, instead inherited Naaman’s leprosy, along with its consequences for his household. When he was tempted, he yielded to the devil’s schemes, allowing Satan to seize and derail his destiny.

No one falls into temptation without being affected by it, unless someone intercedes on his or her behalf before the throne of mercy for restoration.

Esau fell by selling his birthright for a plate of lentils. Although he later sought the blessing with tears, he could not recover what he had forfeited.

How many Christians have fallen, and how many spiritual weapons have been lost during the hour of temptation and never recovered?

Even if you ask for forgiveness and you are forgiven, the consequences remain. Remember King David: even though he was forgiven, his generation is still facing the consequences of his actions till now.

Prayer: Father lord, lead me not into temptation, and deliver me from the power of the evil one, in Jesus’ name, amen