INTRODUCTION
The previous message examined lusts and spiritual conflicts in temptations, especially the conflict between fleshly lusts, will-power, and the Spirit of God. This message examines the devil’s schemes in temptation. It illustrates the schemes with examples for guidance.
1. CONSUMPTION, ATTRACTION AND KNOWLEGE
People usually lust after things that are “good for food”, “pleasant to the eyes”; and things “desired to make one wise”. (Genesis 3:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:3). Unbridled consumption, attraction, and knowledge are key feeders of mankind’s lustful desires. We tend to conform to what we see, smell, hear, taste and touch. Therefore, “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man…”. (1 Corinthians 10:13).
2. THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES
Brethren, the devil is aware that humans need to consume material things for living; we are prone to love attractive things, and to believe things that appeal to carnal or worldly sense. Through subtilty, craftiness and deception, he will use people, things and situations in schemes to entice them to covet, acquire and consume upon their lusts. And God allows people to be tempted by Satan. (Matthew 4:1; Job 1:12).
2.1. HUMAN VULNERABILITIES
The main arsenal in the devil’s scheme in temptation is to prey on our human vulnerabilities. When one feels physically or emotionally weak, such as by starvation, sickness, poverty or the loss of someone, the devil can target their hunger, fear or distress, because they would normally be disposed to doing or believing anything, to change their circumstances.
(a) PHYSICAL WEAKNESS
For instance, Esau was faint from hunger, and asked his younger brother Jacob, to give him of his food. But Jacob asked Esau to sell his “birthright” to him in exchange for the food. And Esau said: “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” So, he despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob for “bread and pottage of lentils”. (Genesis 25:29-34).
Jesus was also tempted by the devil when he was hungry after he had fasted for forty days and forty nights. “…The tempter came to him, [and] said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread”. Satan sought to use the desire for “bread”, to entice Jesus to obey him and reveal his divine nature. But Jesus avoided this temptation saying: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”. (Matthew 4:1-4).
Brethren, food is important to desire, but not at the expense of causing us to devalue or trade spiritual things (including God’s word), for our physical satisfaction, or to prove a point.
(b) WORDLY PLEASURES AND POSSESSIONS
The desire for worldly pleasures, possessions and the cares of this world can snare us into temptation. Riches and power are the foremost of tempters. The Scriptures warn that: “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition”. (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Matthew 13:22).
For instance, the early believers in Jerusalem had vowed to own all things which they possessed in common; and to bring the prices of the things that were sold to the Apostles for distribution. Ananias and his wife Sapphira, sold their land but lusted after the money, and sought to deceive the brethren. (Acts 4:32-36). Apostle Peter reproved the conduct saying: “…why has Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Glost and to keep back part of the price of the land?… Thou has not lied unto men but unto God”. And they both died’. (Acts 5: 1-5 & 8-10).
Jesus was also tempted with worldly possessions but yielded not to its lusts. The devil took him to a high mountain and showed him “all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them”. He said to Jesus: “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me”. But Jesus said to him: “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:1, 8-10).
Brethren, lust for riches and power can snare one into ungodliness and idolatry. “… The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”. (1 Timothy 6:10). Therefore, “…if riches increase, set not your heart upon them”. Be likeminded as Jesus to resist the devil and he will flee from you. (Psalm 62:10; James 4:7)
(c) OCCASION TO TEMPT GOD
Another scheme of the devil is to use our challenging circumstances and cause us to put God to the test or question his ability. This could happen when one demands the lustful things they crave and wilfully grumble, murmur or complain about them; such as asking: ‘If God is a healer, why am I suffering in this sickness?’.
The Israelites “tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust”. Although, God gave them “flesh and fowls” to satisfy their lusts he slew them. (Psalm 78:17-19, 26-31; Numbers 11:4, 18, 31-33; 1 Corinthians 10:9-10).
Also, seeking to entice Jesus to test God, Satan asked him to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple to prove that he was the Son of God. But “Jesus said unto him, …Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”. (Matthew 4:5-7; Deuteronomy 6:16).
Brethren, when you face temptation regarding God’s word and his power, remember that God does not need you to prove his word. He only requires you to know it, believe in it, preach it and trust Him!
2.2 FLATTERY TO ENTRAP
Satan could use flattery or ‘sweet talk’ to entrap one into an evil scheme. People will use hypocrisy and deceit to shroud vane words, (e.g. ‘you are clever’ or ‘you are good-looking’), in order to goad you, entice your ego, stimulate your pride or your self-esteem, to distract you from suspecting their evil intentions.
For instance, the Pharisees, conspired on “how they might entangle [Jesus] in his talk”, to find fault against him with the authorities. They said to him: “Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men”. And hoping that the flattery will entice Jesus to speak against the authorities, they asked Jesus whether it was lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?” (Matthew 22:15-22).
Brethren, beware when men shower you with praises, when they compare you with others, or goad you to speaking against worldly systems or authorities; for thereby you could be entangled in hatched plots.
2.3 CARNAL VIEW OF GOD’S WORD
One profound scheme of Satan to lure people into temptation is the carnal interpretation of God’s word – the Holy Scriptures. By this scheme, Satan converts people to evil lusts, get them to distort God’s word, disobey him, and propagate worldly versions of it.
(a) DISPUTING BIBLE PROPHECIES
For instance, Peter was tempted to dispute the prophecy of Jesus’ death. But Jesus rebuked him saying: “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men”. (Matthew 16:21-24).
(b) PERSPECTIVES ON EARTHLY EVENTS
Also, the Sadducees sought Jesus’ view on a scenario of earthly events saying: “Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother”. The first of seven brothers married a wife and died having no children. All six brothers married the woman in succession, but each died having no children; and the woman also died. They asked Jesus which of the seven brothers will have the wife in the resurrection? (Matthew 22:23-28).
Jesus answered them saying: “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven”. He added, “…God is not the God of the dead, but of the living”. (Matthew 22:29-32).
Brethren, beware when people tempt you with earthly scenarios of events, or worldly views of God’s word; for they entice to lustful desires, may justify evil conduct, and impose human perspective over God’s. Do not conform God’s word to man’s sense.
2.4 VANE GLORY OF KNOWLEDGE
Another scheme in the tempters collection is ‘vane glory of knowledge’, which is used to plunge God’s people into vane argument and unrighteous speaking. For example, a pharisee, who was a lawyer, tempting Jesus asked him saying, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”.
Jesus answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. He explained that: “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”. (Matthew 22: 35-40).
Brethren, while the lawyer sought an occasion for vane-glory of knowledge on carnal legalise of the commandments to entice Jesus into a debate, Jesus reveals the Spirit behind the Commandments: that the commandments rests on the principle of LOVE; but distinguishes the reverential love in spiritual relations with God, from the love of our brethren in earthly relations as mortals.
With this mindset, one would not seek to equate God’s word which is spiritual with carnal wisdom or earthly things; and would avoid the lust of pride to think that one can be expert on God’s word.
The next message will explain how we may overcome Satan’s schemes of temptation.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, we give thanks and praise for Your word.
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways. We glorify thy name and worship thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Gracious Lord, send thine hand from above; rid us, and deliver us out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; Whose mouth speak vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
Strengthen us O Lord in the power of thy might, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
I make this prayer in JESUS Name.
Have a blessed week and a fruitful month, as you wait on the LORD.
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 6/4/2025
Access previous messages at <https:Childrenofgrace.faith>.
Email: prisca@childrenofgrace.faith
