“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

While the deceptive nature of sin started in the garden, its deceptiveness grew after the garden. We see it in the life of Cain. After the harvest of his crops, Cain makes a good choice to give an offering to God. However, Cain does not give God his best, thus God rejects his offering. While his brother Abel brings the first born from his flock and offers the best he has, God receives his offering. This made Cain angry. God speaks to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7) If Cain had offered the first and best from his crops, it would have been received. More temptation was now with Cain.  It was his choice. He gave in to temptation and in anger killed his bother.

In this life, sin is always before us. Temptation does come our way. In Proverbs, God shows us what happens when we give into temptation. “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19) When we give into temptation there is hurt in our own lives, in the lives of those around us and many times even beyond.

Jesus faced temptation. Before His public ministry, Scripture records three temptations placed before Jesus. “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.” (Luke 4:1-2) The temptations were aimed at Jesus’ physical needs, His relationship with the Father, and His mission of redemption. Jesus answered with Scripture, “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:3b) He responded with, “Worship the LORD your God. He is the only one you should serve.”  (Deuteronomy 6:13 NIRV) He would also reply, “Do not put the LORD your God to the test.” (Deuteronomy 6:16) Jesus knew He had to be sinless in order for Him to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Throughout Jesus’ life temptations came His way. “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13)

As we face temptations, we are given powerful aids to help us overcome them. First, we have what Jesue had, the Scriptures. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) Second, we have Jesus Himself. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16) Third, we have the Holy Spirit who will teach us. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

When we walk with the Living and Written Word of God daily, we learn to recognize and overcome temptations and their deceptions in our lives.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block