Suffering: Temptation, Like Samson

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 25:41 (ESV)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 (ESV)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

Samson was tempted by worldly women, and he fell in love with three “pretty” ones:

  • A Philistine girl with no loyalty,

  • A lady of the night down in Gaza,

  • And Delilah, a greedy seductress, who would sell the big man out for silver.

Therein, Israel's judge, Earth’s strongest man, was overthrown by UNRESTRICTED LUST… as in, temptation sucker-punched Samson.

If our eyes could see temptation's demons, their grotesque, hideous appearances (hidden beneath attractive packaging), we'd run in horror from the gory ghouls.

  • Their razor-sharp teeth make cuts feel painless.

  • We don't realize we're slowly dying…

  • Until we're too weak to flee the bleed out– UNLESS God intervenes and rescues us!

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Temptation hides in countless disguises. Jesus passed three of the most common ones at the end of His wilderness trial.

  1. Food as “king” – Eating what we shouldn’t brings ties that bind… when we’re hungrier for food than for God. 

  2. Worldly “kings” – Desiring wealth, fame, and authority… trips countless of the world’s high achievers.

  3. Christian “kings” – Basking in church pinnacle positions… is seen in puffed-up (not humble) pastors.*

Also, temptations can be personal, because the “king of con” knows your weak spots. Consider more all-too-familiar cons:

  • Lovely “things” can mask insecurity: demons of fear are dressed up as comforts that distract us from following Jesus.

  • Fame can mask fear of insignificance: a bully from hell who makes us believe that we’re worthless without the world's applause.

  • Diplomas can mask paper-thin devils: “educated” villains with golden ropes that tie us to titles and desks of pride.

  • Family can mask hate disguised as love: naysaying advice or clinging chokeholds that confuse us and impede our calling.

Therefore, let’s examine our temptations, and when we do, avoid them like the plague.

Suffering: Temptation, Like Samson (Part 30)

* Satan Tempts Jesus: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+4%3A1-13&version=NKJV

* I believe Satan's 'throw yourself off the pinnacle' temptation can refer to a life of 'reckless abandon' as a saint. But to me, that Jesus is brought to the pinnacle of Jerusalem's temple, and not simply to the top of a cliff... is significant. What could be riskier than being in a church leadership position and using that authority 'recklessly'--which I believe happened in His day, and has been multiplied in ours.

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban