WHY TEMPTATION?
By Rick Mathes
I know, don’t tell me: we aren’t tempted as believers, we are tested. I know that but still, with the Lord’s permission, Satan can tempt us to sin with all our senses and we must wonder, “Why does the Lord allow temptation from that slime-bag devil?”
- Well there are a few reasons to consider:
- He may be testing our sincerity, faith, love or patience.
- He may be testing our growth in grace and blessings.
- He may be testing for our usefulness to comfort and warn others.
- He may be testing for our victory over Satan and sin.
- He may be testing to see evidence of His glory in us.
One of the reasons I founded our prison ministry, aside from the Damascus Road experience I had, was that I really believe that those that were in Satan’s camp are the best recruits for the Lords army and triumphant return in victory. We former demon followers know how Satan thinks, where he lives, how he lives, what he does, how he does it and where he does it at. We have a Master’s degree in alcoholism, drug addiction and crime. And to his eternal dismay, we have turned-over and now are in the Lord’s Army!
What better combatants’ can there be but ex-offenders that have confessed that Jesus is Lord but more, have confessed Jesus AS Lord. We have put on whole armor of God, have lifted up the sword and we stand firm as the Holy Spirit lays it on the idiot demon on our behalf. When I was a “street thug” in Detroit Michigan, I was the skinny little kid that would have two beers and pick a fight with the biggest guy within reach. I was in too many fights (I’m paying the price for them now with my arthritis). I never won a fight!
Now I can knock the snot out of that fish faced, thumb sucking, bed wetting punk Satan! When I walk by, he better tremble because my Daddy is King of the Universe and I am on a mission for Jesus to grasp souls from his clutches and lift them up as trophies of grace to my commander-in-chief General J.C.
- Take notice recruit:
- You are never alone.
- You are in a desert.
- You are with wild beasts.
- You are hungry for God’s Word
- You have His Sword for combat.
- You are victorious in Him.
I really believe that the Lord is near. I can hear the hoof-beats. The trumpet is about to sound.
MARANATHA!
PRESS ON!
Rick Mathes 