Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
While the Holy Spirit strengthens us in our vulnerable areas, the demons relentlessly tempt us in our weakest points. The demons never take a day off. They never go on vacation or take a break from hurting, hindering and luring God’s children into temptation. Their job 24/7 is to tempt us into lewdness and licentiousness. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptations. We cannot overrule our innate nature and inherent limitations without His power and anointing. Everyone who makes up proverbs will say of you, ‘Like mother, like daughter (Ezekiel 16:44). It is true that we inherit the habits, talents and gifting from our lineage. However, generational disease and weaknesses are also biologically passed on through our bloodline. The diabolical gang aims at our vulnerable and most susceptible spots to hit, hurt and shame us. But we have the blood of Jesus to overcome the diabolical attacks.
Temptations are satan’s snare to stumble us into sin while trials are God permitted setups for success.
Simon Peter was extremely zealous and passionate but he was a very impatient man. Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22). Peter was a reactionary, rash and hotheaded man. He was easily irritable, impetuous and intolerant. During the dark dreadful phase of the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter was severely attacked and tested. Impulsive Peter became defenseless and senseless in his reaction and betrayed His Saviour three times. When he was shamed and stigmatized by the devil, the Lord sent a special word of comfort to lift him out of the pit of failure.
After the harsh temptation and the pathetic failure, Peter had a heart transplant and holistic transformation.
Trials & Temptations:
1. Forgiveness: The demons are pests that attack, infect and inflict our hidden wounds and weak points, but the Holy Spirit will pour His love over our failure and cover the filthiness with His love and forgiveness. Let go of the baggage of the past that has been forgiven and forgotten by the Lord.
2. Freedom: We are not defined by our miserable failures of the past. There is forgiveness and freedom to the most hideous sins and horrendous failures. Silence the stigmatizing voice that says ‘You should have known better’, and receive forgiveness and freedom through His precious blood.
3. Forbearance: After we rebound from a miserable failure our tolerance and patience with others increases considerably. We are more forgiving and forbearing after being forgiven and accepted for our own failures.
When the demons hurt you with your past, haunt them with the divine detergent, the blood of Jesus.
We are not defined by our past failures.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, when the enemy taunts me with temptations, be my help, strength and comfort to overcome the attacks. Amen.
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