Temptation—or was it just your imagination?
First things first: what is temptation, and why do we need deliverance from it? According to Google, temptation is the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid. But why would we want to do something we know we should avoid if it serves no real benefit or might even be harmful? This all seems elementary, does it not?
As adults, we know right from wrong, can discern the distinction between the two, and know not to do anything that may harm us or others in any way, right? Right?
As I sit here, I’m starting to feel not so big anymore. I realize I may need a few more lessons in distinguishing between right and wrong—and leaning more on God to teach me that understanding from His point of view. But before I get into that, I want to show how sneaky temptation can be, how those desires use a strategy to lure us in, and why we need deliverance every day, even as adults.
The first example of temptation occurs with Eve in the Garden when the serpent challenges her with a question that seems so innocent. He asks her, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
Now, sit with that for a second. What is the serpent really asking her? Look at how the question was set up. He did not specify a tree; instead, he asked an open-ended question that led her to reveal which tree God had forbidden. He set it up to test what she knew and to what extent. Eve admits she was told they would die, and the serpent challenges her again, telling her she will not die. Then, he offers an interesting twist.
He tells her God knew that if she ate from the tree, she would be like God (ugh, the trickery!) and that her eyes would be opened to know good and evil. What I want to point out is that he framed it as if God were hiding something from Eve to keep her inferior. To me, this sows subtle seeds of jealousy, envy, and all kinds of sinful desires that cause her to question God's motives, leading to doubt. He also tells her that she will be like God, knowing good and evil on her own. If she can determine right and wrong for herself, what does she need God for? In a sense, she can be her own god. That’s essentially what the serpent is telling her.
Think about the first time you sinned against God—can you even remember it? I can remember the time I knew better and still chose against God. I feared I was going to miss out on an experience. I wanted to know what it was like, and everyone around me was doing it. Looking back, I understand why God said, "Don’t touch it."
Do you have a moment like that? I think every person on this planet has stood where Eve stood. And if we’re honest, we’ve all made that same choice to eat from the forbidden tree.
Just like when Adam and Eve stood before God to give an account, nobody took accountability for their own disobedience—everyone pointed fingers down the line. And I was right there, too. It's easy to stand before God and see how everyone else’s choices affected us, justifying our actions based on the sins of others. But we rarely stand before Him and bare our own sins—not looking left, right, backward, or forward, but with eyes fixed on God and hearts open in repentance for our shortcomings. While those who caused us to stumble will have to give an account for their part, we still have to own up to our role in causing others (and ourselves) to stumble.
I constantly have to remind myself to remember God. There are times when I go about my day without including Him, but God is gracious and merciful. He understands when life gets away from us, as long as we turn back to Him along the way. (Apologies for that quick commercial break—now back to the main program!)
The second example is Jesus when He was tempted in the wilderness. The Tempter used a similar tactic, first attacking His identity and relationship with God by asking Him to prove Himself and turn stones into bread. But what did Jesus do? He leaned on God. He didn’t question what the Word told Him; He stood on Scripture to deliver Him from the Tempter each time His relationship with God was tested.
Jesus stood wholeheartedly on God's word, never even entertaining the temptation. In the end, the Tempter bluntly offered: "Worship me right now, and you can have all these kingdoms on earth." But Jesus essentially said, "No thanks, I'm good. God said to worship Him and Him alone—now step aside." And the Tempter left Him.
What I’ve learned from reading about Jesus is that He stood firm in His identity and His relationship with God. He didn’t seek outside approval, He didn’t feel the need to prove His worth, and He refused to lay down His soul to gain worldly power. He knew those things were temporary compared to what His Father in heaven had for Him.
Did that mean He had to take the hard road, suffer on this Earth, and bear the weight of our reluctance to look in the mirror? Yes. We often place idols—and sometimes our own pride—on the pedestal of our hearts instead of God, and the world we see today is the result. It's easy to separate ourselves from God and blame Him for all the wickedness in the world, but have you stopped long enough to ask yourself: Have you included Him so you can align your will with His and allow Him space to work?
Think about it—God’s Spirit only departs from places where people have truly rejected Him in their hearts first. Invite God into your heart and share what He teaches you with a friend. In this way, we sow seeds and invite God back into our communities, cities, states, country, and eventually the entire world.
That is why we need deliverance every day—because we need God every day. Until the time of renewal comes and God’s dwelling is made with humanity again, invite Jesus to be your Savior right now, today, through an open heart and a soul of repentance. The invitation into the ark of His covenant is only open for so long, and only God knows when the door will close.
So to end this with a call to action: Let His Kingdom come and His will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Amen!
