A thought from Rick Warren (2012-10-23) from his
book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 259). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to
Amazon.com to buy the book.)
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says in 2
Corinthians 2: 11 (NLT), “We are very familiar with his evil schemes.” He has been using this method from the
beginning of the Bible. He used it with Adam and Eve and because it worked he
continues to use it.
It is so important to know the way the Enemy works but our
focus needs to be more on God and what He wants. But it helps to know how to defeat the Enemy
when he comes and tempts us.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says in 2
Corinthians 2: 11 (NLT), “We are very familiar with his evil schemes.” He has been using this method from the
beginning of the Bible. He used it with Adam and Eve and because it worked he
continues to use it.
Rick says, “In step one, Satan identifies a desire inside of
you. It may be a sinful desire, like the desire to get revenge or to control
others, or it may be a legitimate, normal desire, like the desire to be loved
and valued or to feel pleasure. Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a
thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate
desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time.”
Temptation begins within us.
Let me ask you, what desire did the enemy use to keep you from going to
church Sunday? Now I know it was the
first Sunday of football. Did he use
that? I sent out one time a direct mail
piece that highlighted that we had a Saturday night service and that you could
come to church and still watch football.
Now it was targeted to non-Christians but some people who are followers
of Christ miss church because of their desire to watch football. Here is the
point, you do what you want to do and the Enemy knows that and he uses you
desires to get you off tract.
So what desire did he use for you to miss church Sunday?
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