Thursday, July 13
temptation. i'll break free, and soar like an eagle
--we should be aware of the devil, but impressed with God--
the devil tempts us to doubt God's goodness
he makes us think that God is stingy
and cannot be trusted for our well-being
especially when we are walking through problems
and difficult times
we doubt God's promise of providence
because we think that we ought to be given
what we want
and not what God has planned out for us
the devil tempts us to overstate God's command
he makes God seem unreasonable
and more legalistic than he is
that He is severe instead of loving in His command
the devil tempts us with things that are appealing to us
he tempts us with our own evil nature
with things that are seemingly satisfying and good
yet leaves greater hunger within us
as we dig our own graves
burrowing deeper and deeper
with the lure that when we dig some more we will find our escape
the devil tempts us to be unaccountable
he makes us think that we can handle things on our own
and that people will judge us if we seek help
he makes us lonely in our sin
and we hide as we sin, in fear of being uncovered
and so we live in isolation
rather than in a God-fearing community
we put on the armor of God in order to fight the devil
He equips us with the breastplate of righteousness
which guards our heart
with boots of gospel of peace
so that we might be strengthened as we tell people about God
He also gives us the sword of the spirit and shield of faith
His word guards us against flaming arrows of the devil
with His helmet of salvation,
our minds are protected, and we learn to understand the word
the bible holds all together, as the belt of truth
so that we might not lose any part of the armor
which God has bestowed upon us
0. oOo
