Remember those lines your mom and dad tried to warn you about? You know, those lines boys whispered in your ears using those seductive words trapping your heart? "You would if you loved me", "I love you, I want to show you just how much", "Don't you love me?" And the magic one, "One time won't hurt anything, this is the next step in our relationship". Any of these sound familiar? I am sure you could make your own list to share. If you are like me, you were warned about these seductive, deceiving words, but unfortunately, I did not take heed to the warnings. I should have listened to the wisdom of my parents. That wisdom was a nugget of gold worth much, but I valued it little. Instead I allowed my heart to be polluted by seductive words that took away from my life, instead of adding like true words of honor.
There are many things in this world that call out our name in a seductive way trying to entice our minds, seduce our hearts, and deceive our deepest values.
Eve was deceived by the seducer too. She was seduced in the garden where she felt comfortable. By being deceived and taking a bite of the forbidden fruit she not only hurt herself, but she too brought Adam in on her desire. Just as me, Eve was lost in the moment, in the desire to have more, and ignored the warning from God. She turned away from His wisdom, and followed her feelings. She refused to heed to what she knew was right, instead she thought just this once, and everything will be okay. That one moment in time turned out to be a day she would never forget as she and Adam were escorted out of the garden. It was that moment that sin entered the world. One mistake, one choice not only effects us, but all those around us. Eve allowed the slithering, soothing words of Satan to trick her and she was lost in feelings. Have you ever been there? I have. My feelings have gotten me into more trouble that I ever thought could happen.
Temptation can seduce us within a moment, and in that next moment we spend the rest of our lives trying to undo what we have just done.
What is seducing you today? Is it an attraction to another, is it that big house you cannot afford, the car to make you feel happy, the drugs to bring a high for a costly price, those lottery tickets to fill your dreams, the desire to be at the top no matter the cost, that gossip that is burning a hole in your ear, the desire to be popular at any cost, those videos on the computer, the magazines at the check out aisle, that one drink you think will bring peace only to bring hurt later? The list can go on and on, you fill in the blank. The things of this world will seduce us into thinking we must have them to be happy, to feel important. But they will only cause us to stumble.
Satan is not here to bless us, but his words can deceive us into thinking so. It only takes a moment to take our eyes off Jesus, and then he sneaks in to whisper in your ear. Satan is here to kill, steal and destroy us at any cost. He doesn't care how he does it, he just wants to get the job done. The closer we are to this world the farther away we are from Christ.
We must learn to protect our heart, our eyes, our ears and our mind. We must put on the armor for the war going on around us. We must think upon things that are lovely and pure. We must guard our hearts and minds.
This world calls out my name also. My eyes catch hold of something intriguing, or my ears hear of something that is none of my business. I can ache for those new clothes I am desiring. I can get caught up in a show I know I shouldn't watch or music I know I wouldn't listen to if the Lord were sitting right next to me.
When Satan is calling you, you stand firm and tell him to get behind you! You tell him to leave your mind, body and soul. You are a child of the King, you are a Royal Blue blood and there is nothing that can separate you from Christ. You tell him to go talk to your Father about what he wants you to do!
The more we are in God's word, the more wisdom we gain, and with the more wisdom we gain the more tools we have at fighting Satan and his demons. God always gives us a way out. He will give us the strength to walk away, and the wisdom to know which road to turn down. The Holy Spirit will lead us home!
The things of this world might shimmer, but after awhile they lose their shine, they turn to rust. Our mighty God shines brighter than anything of this world, and He will never turn or change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His love is the love that lasts forever!
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
Genesis chapter 3 will tell you of Eve's story and the fall of man.
John 10:10 " The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Psalm 29:11 "The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace."
James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
