One of the easiest truths to forget in life is this: as Christians, we are in constant, moment by moment battles against spiritual forces. Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This battle is often apparent in our minds when we embark on missions trips or when facing intense moments of temptation.
However, I have learned that we often lose this battle through believing lies, choosing to hold onto guilt, and giving into fear instead of sharing the Gospel. If we spend time in reflection, it is evident that we tend to lose more battles, more often then we think. Therefore, fighting well should be a top priority of ours. Now clearly it would be a lengthy response to dissect the three issues listed above, and this is not the purpose of my post. Recognizing that these struggles exist in the Christian life, I will now speak on one of the deepest reasons why we so easily give into temptation: we do not allow God to be present. To understand the roots of temptation, James 1:14 voices, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” In response, we are called to put to death the flesh (Col. 3:5) and walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). To effectively and deeply understand walking by the Spirit, we must continually ground ourselves in the knowledge that everything we do is to be an act of abiding with God as John 15:4 says. Especially in temptation, we must fight with God for it is His power that we use to do so and it is he who wills and works in us according to his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). To fight temptation with God is essentially saying "More of God, less of me." It is not just resisting sin or clearing our minds and hearts of impurities. It is also, and necessarily, adoring all of who God is. The central purpose of temptation in relationship with Christ is not that we may obtain victory or growth. Additionally, we should not view temptation as a test of whether or not we will overcome.
Temptation is very personal. It is an enticement of our flesh. Temptation’s ambition is to eliminate the reality of the genesis of existence: GOD.
In temptation, our flesh becomes the centrality of who we are, as God is removed from the situation. Looking at temptation from this perspective, we must therefore counteract our temptation by ushering Christ more fully into the situation, therefore removing ourselves. We must speak Christ, ponder Christ, live Christ, and abide with Christ wholly. To best fight with Christ practically is, and will always be, to courageously rejoice in the powerful Word of God.
After committing adultery and murder, David writes Psalm 51. In Verse 12 he cries out, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation”. Christ exemplifies this perfectly in the desert during his temptation against Satan. Although not lured by any fleshly desire because he was sinless, he identified with man on earth, and in this case, in temptation. His response to his temptation essentially removing himself from the situation and allowing God to be the only thing present in his mind, body, and soul. He rejoiced in God.
The Word of God is the the greatest presence of God in all of the earth and I pray that we allow it be the greatest presence in all of who we are.
