VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren” (James 1:13-16). Temptation is common to all human beings on the surface of earth, most especially those who love to do God’s will. There are those who attribute their weakness as the fault of others or even blaming God for falling into temptation. This reveals the ignorant of men on the source and process of temptation and generally too proud to accept the workings of the lust and evil desires in themselves.

Ignorance and pride push men so far to the place where they accuse God as the tempter, as the one enticing or soliciting them to do evil. God is neither the direct nor the remote cause of our temptation, sin, and damnation. He who sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from sin, how can He tempt us or lead to sin that He wants to save and keep us from? Satan is the great accuser of God and man. He is ever at his wicked business of telling us that God does not love us, that God is the one that tempting us, wanting us to fall, rejoicing at our fall and having delight in our death and damnation. It is very important for us to know that “the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Ans Satan is a liar (John 8:44), only those who accept his and permit his deception to take root in their hearts accuse of being the cause of their temptations, sin and evil. Who tempts us? Why are we tempted? What gives temptation so much strength to overcome some people? What provision has God made for us to overcome temptation? The Scriptures answer these and many other questions.

God is a holy God: He never entices us to do evil. His whole plan of redemption was designed to destroy sin and make us holy. “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). If God expect us to be holy, how then can he encourage or entice any of His creatures to sin? That would be a violation of the purpose for which He gave His only begotten Son. God is holy, pure and perfect. He is not an agency of temptation. Evil of any type has no place in Him. He has no delight in making anyone to do evil. Evil or sin can never be an act of God.

As Adam and Eve shifted blame for their sin, so many today blame God for their temptation and sin. God cannot be a promoter of what is opposed to His holy nature.However, Satan brings temptation. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness All these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:21-23). Satan, demons, men and circumstances may conspire together to tempt man, yet what causes him to yield and fall is within him. When man is tempted, draw away of his own lust, lure into trap – is a hunting term.” Enticed” is a fishing term. The destructive hook is hidden or covered by the desired bait. An appeal is made to the passion and consuming desired which is peculiar to the individual. “His own lust” pulls him into the trap. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting “(Galatians 6:7-8).

It is incredibly significant to know that temptation itself is not a sin but yielding to temptation is a sin. Our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted, yet without sin (Matthew 4:1-11). This implies that God provides the strength, grace and power to overcome. The book of James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. God is always good and gracious; and does not change. As every good gift is from Him, so particularly our regeneration (the miracle of our new birth in Christ) and all the happy consequences of it are from Him. “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4).

Therefore, we owe the beginning, the strength and the consummation of our spiritual life to God. He accomplishes the new birth and all our spiritual victory by the instrumentality of the word of truth, as we daily study it meditatively and obey. Remember that our Lord Jesus Christ used the weapon, “it is written” when Satan tempted Him. The same sword of the Spirit is at our disposal to use against all the wiles of the devil. Being born again, we become “a kind of first fruits of His creatures”. And “blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James1:12). May God give us the grace to endure and overcome every temptation that comes on our ways.

CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION AND TRIAL OF FAITH

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12). A Christian is someone who surrender absolutely to God through repentance “toward God, and faith toward Jesus Christ our and Savior”. Such is seeking to follow Jesus in everything. One of the experiences that meet every true Christian before he has gone far in the Christian life is persecution. Again, “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Coupled with this is the trial of our faith. However, there is no trial or persecution that will come to us that we will be too great for us to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). So then, in all things, we are more than conqueror through Him that strengthens us..

Believers suffer persecution because of their Christian convictions. All categories of believers suffer one form of persecution or the other at different stages of their Christian life. Persecution is the common experience of all believers. When it first appeared in the family of Adam, Cain slew Abel. Why? “because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous (1 John 3:12). When it appeared in the family of Abraham, Ishmael, born after the flesh, persecuted Isaac, born after the spirit (Galatians 4:29)..

Joseph was hated and sold to slavery by his brethren for relating his God given dream. Moses was ridiculed by some of the people as he led Israel under God’s guidance through the wilderness. David was greatly persecuted by king Saul. Some of the saints of old were cut into two with carpenter’s iron saw (Hebrews 11:37). Jeremiah, Elijah, Elisha and other prophets suffered for supporting the sceptre of righteousness as did Shadrack, Meshack, Abednego and Daniel for their Christian stand in worshipping the only true God. The Lord Jesus was vehemently persecuted by the religionists of His day; who would have thought that Jesus Christ could be persecuted with all he did for humanity! The early church believers suffered persecution in the hands the religious Jews and through the pagan gentiles wherever they preached the gospel. They were arrested, tortured, jailed and sometimes martyred for speaking in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul the apostle went through the similar experiences after his conversion. “And after that many days were fulfilled; the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket” (Acts 9:23-25). The apostolic and church fathers suffered untold persecution..

The religion people hated and still hates anyone who walks contrary to the “traditions” of the elders. The compromiser can easily be accommodated and tolerated. But let a break away from traditions and stand for the truth, then the world will rage…. It is obvious that God does not persecute His children. So where does persecution come from? Persecution often come from those who disagree with God’s plan. “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16). Persecution always come from the children of the devil; and sometimes from believers who allow themselves to be used by the devil.

Persecution may take various forms like slanders, being hated, reviled, abused, and insulted, having one’s promotion withheld or one’s entitlements seized by one’s parents, being denied jobs that one is qualified for etc. Please note that being jobless because of laziness or unfaithfulness, being punished because of lawlessness, etc. are not to be regarded part of the believer’s persecution (Please read Romans 13:1-7; 1 Corinthians 11:22-30)..

True believers must maintain love, peace, joy, and faith during persecution. The fruit of the spirit should be conspicuously manifested in the believer’s life every moment all through his life. Holding on to your integrity and faith will bring the victory. Be ever conscious of the eternal weight of glory that awaits us in heaven..

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). Overcoming persecution will obviously strengthen our faith. There is great heavenly reward for us as we endure. We shall be rewarded for every pain and suffering we passed through for Christ’s sake. The overcomers will reign with Christ in glory.

THE GOSPEL LANDMARK

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” ( 2Timothy 3:16-17). Bible doctrines to the church are like what a foundation is to the erected building. It is the canon of faith on which a believer’s faith is firmly hold. A building with a weak foundation is likely to collapse under intense unfavorable weather and environmental conditions while a building with a solid foundation would weather through every storm (Mathew 7:24-27).

However, a believer’s steadfastness and stability in the Lord is dependent on a firm grasp of the truth revealed in the Bible. Whereas lack of knowledge of the fundamental truth leads to backsliding and destruction as stated in the book of Hosea 4:6. Likewise, Second Timothy 2:15 admonished every believer to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. In a world of deceit and error which is engineered by Satan and his cohorts (John 4:44), a better needs to be well grounded in the truth in order to defeat every lie of Satan if He is to remain in faith..

The early believers perfectly understood the need to be grounded in the Bible doctrines of the truth. All believers without exception engaged in spiritual activities of the that built up their Christians characters and convictions. They study the Bible, prayed and celebrated the Lord’s supper (Acts 2:41-47). It should be observed that the study of bible doctrines took a place of pre-eminence in their life and ministry..

These spirit-directed programs of the church led to the phenomenal growth of the early church. With exception of this, it brought about boldness of faith, steadfastness of conviction, and growth to the extent that the whole of Jerusalem was filled with Christ’s doctrine of Jesus Christ. “Saying, did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us” (Acts 5:28).Not only that, Paul understood the uniqueness of Bible doctrines to Christian maturity; Hence, he counselled the Ephesians church that spiritual gifts were given them in order to teach doctrines of the Bible that would bring about Christian perfection (Ephesians 4:11-14). He told Timothy his son in the Lord was, “take heed unto the doctrine, continue in them; for in doing this thou shall both save thyself and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). He also advised Titus who was left in Crete to set things in order there and hold fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers (Titus 1:9)..

As believers, workers, leaders, preachers/pastors, missionaries, and leaders like Paul, Timothy and Titus, our steadfastness to the end is dependent of on the understanding of the doctrines. Also, the salvation of the church members depends on the understanding of the doctrines. A thorough understanding of the doctrines then is essential to every believer in the church. The strength or weakness of the church depends on the member’s understanding of the doctrines (John 5:39; Colossians 3:16)..

The Bible clearly teaches on Repentance, Holy living, Heaven and hell, and the second coming of the Lord, among others. These Bible doctrines revealed treasures that a Christian cannot do without. The reason and hope of our faith are embedded in these doctrines (1 Peter 3:15). Every believer today, old and young needs to benefits from the doctrine. This can only come through in-depth studies and prayerfully imbibing its teaching and practicing. Neglect of Bible doctrines and the pursuit of superficiality have done in-calculable damage to the church in our generation. Significance on activities with the attendant and neglect of God’s word has ruined many lives. This ruinous effect has manifested in superficial Christian living, incessant backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness, and entertainment of false doctrine..

We are in perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1-5), and to be able to hold our heads above waters for sustenance, it is imperative that we must earnestly contend for the faith. Believers (spiritual solders) are constantly on the battlefield and we must take it by force by doing violence with Satan and his hosts before we can have entrance into heaven (Matthew 11:12). Our chief weapon of warfare is the truth, which is embedded in the doctrines of the bible. Knowing the truth, we make us free from the lies of Satan and guarantee us true freedom (John 8:32). In order to counteract the devil’s strategies, we need to dig deep into the doctrines of the holy Bible.

The mission of the church as light to the world (Matthew 5:16) is only achievable with a grasp of the fundamental truth. A church that is ignorant of the fundamental truth cannot teach the world as the blind cannot lead the blind. Yet the mission of the church is clearly stated in (Matthew 28:19-20). The church is to evangelize the world and teach the world. The responsibility of this falls on individual believers within the fold today. It is the aggregate that makes the whole and without a well-informed congregation, the church would be unable to fulfill this goal. Knowledge of the fundamental truth greatly helped the early church to fulfill its mission. The early church was able to establish new converts in the faith, challenge the errors of the Pharisees and Sadducees and go through the persecution of adversaries..

The time has come to accomplish Christ’s mission to the world but the battle for the truth can only be fought by the enlightened believers. We as individuals’ members of the church ought to arise today and fill the gaps left by the saints of old. Lastly, Jesus said, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).It is our sole responsibility to spread the gospel of Christ to every creature, and obedience to this call bring the blessings.

HIS DWELLING PLACE

JOIN THIS CHARIOT

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). The need for every believer to reach out to the sinning relations, friends and neighbors cannot be over emphasized. The call of our Lord Jesus Christ is still biding on every believer today as a command, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15). It is divine command which is compelling for every Christian without an exception. This assignment become easier when Christian reach out to their friends and peers who are not born again. Yes, Jesus as given us a mandate.

The exploits of converted saints of old like Joseph, Esther, prophets and apostles should be a challenge to us all, they stood out for God in their own generations. Furthermore, the age in which we are today demand that we should wake up to the holy calling of God and save our generation from destructions and evils around them through the gospel of Christ. If you are saved, you cannot afford to sit on the fence when millions of souls are going into a Christ-less eternity. The prevalence of false prophets and apostles who deceive and close the doors of the heart of the sinning people and the ever increasing vices such as drug addiction, thefts, brazen immorality, cultism and many others should arouse the sympathy of every believing Christian to join the chariot of mass evangelization. Be wise, the scriptures say “…He that winneth souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30).

In spite of the need and urgency to reach out to the sinning world, God cannot use sinners. God cannot work or entrust the divine command of evangelism to sinners. “Can two walk together except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3). The Bible makes it clear that, “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 15:18). The moment you are born again, you are called to join in this great commission. You do not have to wait until you know every verse of the scripture. The Holy Spirit is able use the little you have known to bring sinners into repentance. When God called the Philip to join himself to the chariot, he did not delay. “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:28-29). In similar way, every believer should not delay answering this call because time is short.

It is the Lord’s desire to see that we are winning souls for His kingdom from time to time. To be a successful soul winner, we need to equip ourselves with the word of God after salvation. In addition, the life of a soulwinner should be pure and transparent. Such a person should be freed from shame and reproach otherwise., it will be a hinderance to the gospel. To live unblameably always, you need the sanctification experience. Holy Ghost baptism is also paramount for one to do exploit in the area of evangelism. All these Christian experiences are available for those who will earnestly desire and pray for it. Furthermore, a soul winner must pray for compassion for the perishing souls and passion for evangelism. There should be fervent prayer before and after witnessing to sinners. Prayer is a spiritual weapon with which we dislodge and defeat Satan’s hold on the lives of the sinners.

Various method of evangelism abounds. Direct preaching of the word of God alone or in the company of others as opportunities come or by creating the opportunities. Inviting friends and relations to church meetings and programs can work wonders in their lives. One can also send tracts and writer letters to unsaved friend. Buses and other means of transportation are also place where effective preaching can be done. In addition, phone calls, text messages, and other social media platform like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc. could be used as means of winning souls. The message must be Jesus the Savior of the whole world and not the church. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved…That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9). At the end of the message, the sinner must be led to make decision to follow the Lord as Phillip did to the Ethiopia Eunuch.

For every believer who will join the chariot of soul winning, there are rewards here for them on earth and crown awaiting them in eternity. Soul winning ensures self-preservation in God’s kingdom. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). Soulwinners are special in God’s sight because they witness often and pray often which make the possibility of backsliding very remote. Their prayers receive quick answers and attention from the Savior. Apart from all these, there will be stars on their crowns on the last day.