Last week I had a bone density test due to my doctor’s insistence. Before starting the test, the technician weighed me, and I was shocked and alarmed to hear that I weighed almost ten pounds more than I thought I did. For years I had not weighed myself because it had become a frustrating and guilt-inducing practice. Admitting that is no fun. But hearing the number felt like a slap in the face. And I promptly started to beat myself up.
As much as I’d love to play the victim card by claiming that various circumstances prevented me from eating properly, my conscience won’t let me. No one has force fed me this past year. I alone decided what and when and how much to eat. I can’t even claim the line from an old TV comedy skit, that, “The devil made me do it!”
The truth is, the devil cannot make anyone do anything. For example, in Luke 4, Satan had the power to lead Jesus to stand on the pinnacle of the temple, but he had no power to push Him off. He also could not trick Jesus into jumping off to be caught by angels. He could not entice Jesus to turn stones into bread despite His post-fasting hunger. And he could not bribe Jesus into worshiping Him in exchange for gaining authority over all the kingdoms of the world.
Satan cannot force us to do anything. His only power is deception. And deception comes in many forms.
As we observe the devil’s tactics with Jesus, we see three main categories. First, he appeals to our pride, trying to trick us into proving our value by boasting, putting others down, lording our authority over others, posting vanity-driven pictures on social media, etc. Next, the devil appeals to our human desire for instant gratification. For some people that involves food or alcohol or drugs. For others it includes sexual encounters or being glued to our electronic devices. Finally, Satan wants us to be more aware of the physical world than the spiritual, which means creating desires for everything the world has to offer. Materialism, greed, or coveting what others have are all examples of this type of temptation.
Jesus passed His test with flying colors, but we often fail ours. But we can hold onto two encouraging truths. First, God knows that we are human and is not condemning or judging us. Therefore, we should not condemn ourselves when we fail. And second, God also provides us with help in our times of temptation. He sent us the Holy Spirit to lead us into truth when our enemy is trying to deceive us (John 16:13-15). The Holy Spirit also helps us and intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). And one gift of the Spirit is discernment (I Corinthians 12:10). God also promises that every single time we’re tempted, He will provide a way of escape so that we may be able to endure it (I Corinthians 10:13).
The next time you’re tempted, remember these wonderful promises and provisions. And if you do fail, don’t beat yourself up. God is right there to empower you to be victorious next time.
