Nov 27 – THREE TESTS !

“For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).

Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life are the three terrible weapons of Satan in his warfare. It is only with these that he tested Eve, in the Garden of Eden, and made her to desire the fruit of the tree of knowledge of the good and evil. The Scripture says: “So, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6).

When you look closely at the above verse, you will find the interconnection of all the three components of test, namely lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. As Adam and Eve were deceived and failed in the test, they had to leave the presence of God, with agony and sorrow.

Again, when Jesus was in the wilderness, after having fasted for forty days and forty nights, Satan employed the same test on Him. We can read about this in greater detail in Gospel of Mathew, chapter 4. He put into effect all the three tests, one after another upon Jesus. But the Lord conquered every test of Satan, by the Word of God. While Satan also tried to quote from the Scripture, it was only in vain. Because God’s Word was more than able to overpower every test and every evil scheme of Satan.

In order to overcome the tests and trials of life, you should authoritatively declare the promises of God. The Holy Spirit will bring to your mind, the very verses that you will need to claim victory in that situation. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect example for victorious life and ministry, against this world, flesh and Satan.

The same Lord, Jesus Christ, who was victorious over the trials and preserved his holiness, is able to grant you the same victory to you in all the tests of your life.

Once Satan prompted David to take a census of the Israelites. Satan also lured Judas Iscariot with riches, to betray the Lord. He tested Peter by sifting him like wheat. He also tempted Ananias and Sapphira to lie to the Holy Spirit.

Dear children of God, whatever is the extent of devil’s wicked schemes, God is always with you, to help you, to fight for you, to strengthen you and to grant you victory.

Verse for further meditation: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).