Temptation – The Thief

Satan gives Adam an apple and takes away Paradise. Therefore, in all temptations let us consider not what he offers, but what we shall lose. Richard Sibbes

When David succumbed to adultery with Bathsheba, it didn’t just remain there. It opened the door to other sinful and soul-destroying thoughts and actions. In David’s case, it led to deceit, manipulation, coercion, and even plotting Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11:6-11).

When we succumb to temptation, it opens the door for Satan to steal our:

# Joy and Peace. When we are engaged in sinful deeds, they will cause guilt and shame. We become gripped with worry and anxiety because we fear being found out. Our hearts become devoid of joy and peace. 

# Freedom in Christ. The freedom for which Jesus paid such a high price when he was nailed to the cross of Calvary. Our immoral deeds enslave us to the very things that we thought would satisfy us.

# Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. It takes over our lives so that our conscience becomes seared. We may even think that it’s okay to do what we are doing.

# Honour. We live a life of lies and deceit. We become untrustworthy, robbing us of respect and integrity.

The Rich and Satisfying Life

Satan will rob us of these things when we succumb to temptation. His purpose is to steal, kill and destroy, but God's purpose is to give us a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10). We can have this when we humble ourselves before Him and turn away from our sin, when we die to self and nail our sins to the cross of Christ. When we do this, He will give us the grace and strength to live our lives devoted to Him only (Galatians 2:20). Then we can walk in the authority and victory that we have through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Reflection

Take time to think about the things that Satan has stolen from you when you succumbed to temptation. Would you consider having an accountability partner whom you can talk to when you face temptation?

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for allowing Satan to steal from me and to destroy things in my life because of my sin. I pray for the restoration of my joy and peace. I pray that I will know that freedom in You again. Help me to become sensitive to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit again. Bring Your healing and restoration into my life so that I can walk in the victory that You have brought about for me through Your death on the cross. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.