Flee

August 25, 2024

Dr. Paul Cannings

Temptation is a powerful animal that can devour all of us (Matthew 4:3. 1 Thessalonians 3:5). The Word of God states in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” This verse should remind us of the power of temptation. Temptation is so powerful for Joseph that he leaves his garment and runs. However, in the case of David, he did not run; he satisfied the flesh by first looking at Bathsheba, which led to adultery and murder. Because the flesh is weak, we must behave like Joseph and flee. This may be why the Lord’s Prayer includes temptation. Matthew 6:13 states, “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

One three-year-old’s explanation for being in the kitchen atop a chair eating cookies is: “I just climbed up to smell them, and my tooth got caught.”

Satan always appeals to the flesh. This is where he starts with Eve because he knows the flesh’s propensity with its five senses. Satan at the tree clearly shows how he still approaches us using the five senses tied up in the flesh. He still does this, especially since he knows nothing is good in the flesh (Romans 7:24). John says that for anyone who loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15-17).

Temptation, however, is not powerful only because of the flesh; it is also powerful because Satan knows our weaknesses and uses them to defeat us (Ephesians 6:12). This is why it is good to flee in the midst of temptation. Paul instructs Timothy to do this in 2 Timothy 2:22: “Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Despite the overwhelming power of temptation, remember this: “No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13)  Temptation is indeed powerful, but we can take heart in the fact that “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) With God’s strength, we can resist and overcome.