Dr Paul Allen

The Temptation of Christ, 1854 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” HEBREWS 4:15 Jesus Christ provides us with the perfect example of how to defeat temptation . Learning how to successfully resist temptation is vitally important, for we sin only when we yield to temptation. Christians throughout history have recognized the importance of resisting temptation. One early believer wrote, “Fly from all occasions of temptation, and if still tempted, fly further still. If there is no escape possible, then have done with running and show a bold face and take the two–edged sword of the Spirit.” The desire to escape temptation has led many in the history of the church to attempt heroic but ultimately futile feats of ascetic self–denial. So desperate did one monk become that he threw himself into a thicket of thorn bushes! Unfortunately, that did...

Image via Wikipedia "They sacrificed unto devils, not to God ; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not." ( Deuteronomy 32:17 )   This terrible indictment was in the farewell song of Moses , written just before the tribes of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land .  Perhaps Moses was thinking mainly of the golden calf fashioned by Aaron , who had told the people: "These be thy gods, O Israel" ( Exodus 32:4 ).   Aaron and the people certainly knew that the man-made calf was not "gods," but they knew that there were many invisible spirit beings in the world and that these "devils" (actually fallen angels) could indwell images made by men as objects of worship.  These evil spirits do possess certain powers, which can be used to impress their worshippers with the magical insights and abilities of the images.   This was also a problem in the early church. Paul warned his converts at Corinth: ...

Image via Wikipedia Regarding demonic powers and as far as temptation goes, you are being watched—you are  always  being watched. The spiritual powers out there have long experience observing humans and are very proficient at customizing a temptation plan that perfectly fits the way your desires work—your  particular  desires.  You will be tempted in a different way than I will; I will be tempted in a different way than my wife will; She will be tempted in a different way than Jesus  was. So how do we know how we are being tempted? Here is one good way: Imagine you could do anything, you could make it happen exactly as you wish, and could then go back and reverse time so that it had never happened—no consequences for your life, your work, your family, or Judgment Day. What would it be? Whatever comes to mind might be a pretty good insight into where it is your desires are being farmed. And that is worth thinking about today (and every day). ...