Trapped or trained?

Trapped or trained?

Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you… (Mathew 26:41, NLT)

Temptation comes in two forms. It could come as a trap or training. The type which comes as a trap comes from the devil and the ‘training’ type is from God. The devil’s purpose of setting his temptation trap is to lure or seduce a person into committing sin. This temptation is seductive and pushy. Anyone who falls into this temptation is suddenly seen doing ‘something’ immoral; dishonest; inappropriate or anything at all unexpected of someone of his reputation. As a result, the devil afflicts him.

We can see an example of this type of temptation in I Chronicles 21:1 (MSB) where the Bible says: ‘Now etatan seduced David into taking a census of Israel’. So when you are supposed to pray and something keeps making it impossible for you to pray, that’s a temptation from the devil. When you wanted to open your mouth in anger and the Holy Spirit cautioned you and yet you still went ahead to unleash your anger on ‘that fellow’, you just fell into the temptation of the devil.

When you intentionally deceive or take an undue advantage of somebody, the devil has just got you into his temptation trap. The way out of this is true repentance to God. Meanwhile, the training type of temptation either comes directly from God or is allowed by him to prepare a man for the next phase of his destiny. God’s purpose for this is to test for loyalty; and thereafter, promote his children.

Whatever its source is, temptation is something no one can avoid or prevent. It comes at one point or the other. But your level of communion with God is what determines whether you stand or fall into the temptation. That’s why Jesus said: ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation’ (Mathew 26:41, NIV).

Note that the prayer isn’t so you won’t experience temptations, but that you don’t fall into it when it comes. And in case you fell into a temptation, you don’t have to give up. There is hardly anyone who has never fallen into temptation. What is most important as from now is to heed the injunction of Jesus: ‘Keep alert and pray’. In other words, be in constant touch with God and always watch out for any ‘danger’ signal. I pray; may you not fall into the devil’s trap this year. In Jesus name!

Today’s corporate prayer: Remote – controlling power of darkness; meant to misdirect my life; lose your function permanently. In Jesus mighty name!

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