Every corner of this materialistic and money-centered society—particularly fancy hotels, expensive restaurants, KTVs and other entertainment places—is full of Satan’s temptations. Without the capability to overcome sin, we are so envious of those with wealth and power that our desires to make big money and be one of them are stirred up when we see them enjoying their wealth in these places. As a result, money—and the material enjoyment it can bring—fully possesses our hearts and thus our hearts stray farther and farther from God. So as Christians, we should always pray to God and ask Him to protect us so we can live before Him and can actively stay away from people, events and things that might tempt us.
This is especially necessary for those who have small statures spiritually. Just as the Bible says, “A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Pro 22:3). And God’s words also say, “Do not come into contact with things that can draw your heart away to the outside, and do not come into contact with people who can draw your heart away from God. Drop whatever it is that can distract your heart from being close to God, or stay away from it. That way is more beneficial to your life.” From these words we can see that actively staying away from temptations is a wise choice.
Take Job for example. As we all know, he feared God and shunned evil. Though he possessed untold masses of wealth, and sheep and oxen that covered a mountain, in order to live before God at all times he kept himself in check. He had a reverent heart, and he often offered sacrifices for fear that he would offend God. Besides, he didn’t take advantage of his wealth to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh, and he never even joined his sons and daughters in feasting. All he did was just insist on walking the way of fearing God and shunning evil. So, Job set a good example for us to follow.
Second, View Things According to God’s Words and Seek God’s Will to See Through Satan’s Tricks and Thus Refuse Temptations
Satan revels in tempting us at any time and in any place and disturbing our life. So, what should we do to win victory over its temptations when they befall us? Sermons and Fellowship on Entry Into Life says, “What must you be equipped with to be able to refuse these temptations and seductions? You must be equipped with the truth, then you will be able to see these things very clearly. After you are able to clearly see the substance of this issue, then you will know what kind of harm the actions on your part will bring to others, you will know what kind of injuries others suffer from in their hearts, you will know to what extent you’ve wrecked someone’s personality, and once you understand these things you will no longer act in ways that cause them; whenever these kinds of thoughts and ideas come into your mind you will be able to reject them, you will not be interested in them, you will not pay attention to them, because they will not sway your heart.” From these words, we can see that viewing things according to God’s words is very important. Only by focusing on reading God’s words and understanding the truth from them can we have a path to follow. The Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jhn 14:6). The truth is from God. God’s words guide our lives as the basis of our lives. So we should put in more effort to understand God’s words and God’s will. Thus we will see through Satan’s tricks. For example, we are exerting ourselves for the Lord with all our hearts when suddenly a relative or friend mentions a job where big money can be made, and then asks us to go with them. But if we do it, we will have no time to attend church gatherings or work in the ministry of the church, and thus our proper relationship with God will be destroyed. At such a time, we need to read God’s words and seek God’s will to understand what the most meaningful thing for us to pursue is and how to choose to satisfy God. When we have discernment about the temptation of money, we will refuse it. The Lord Jesus says, “How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Mak 10:24-25). “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luk 9:25).
From God’s words, we can figure out that money is a worldly thing. We might get more money from that job and thus enjoy fleshly pleasures even more, but if it delays our pursuit of the truth and affects the performance of our duty as a created being, we won’t gain God’s approval or blessings in the end. Besides, because of pursuing money we will become estranged from God. Even worse, some will go so far as to lose their health because they occupy themselves in pursuit of money all day long. Some will even have no enthusiasm to continue to believe in the Lord, and will bring ruin on themselves because they become more obsessed with carnal pleasure as they get more money. When we see such harmful actions, we should automatically refuse the temptation. In addition, we should be clear that Satan knows that we lust for money and is behind the relative or friend who tempts us into pursuing money. Satan always attacks our weak points. Under these attacks, from both inside and out, we easily get captured by Satan if we aren’t careful. Just as the Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Pe 5:8). In this materialistic age, Satan lures us with various temptations. Only when we calm down and seek the truth and view things according to God’s words can we overcome Satan’s temptations.
May the above two secrets can help you stay away from and resist temptations, and follow the Lord’s way.
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