A Picture of Temptation

# 143 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." Nahash whose name means serpent encamps against the subjects of Saul. The word “encamps” means to incline toward, to lean toward. Think in terms of a tent, a lean-to if you will. This is a picture of temptation. The devil, the world, and our flesh, encamp against us, lean against us, putting pressure on us to join in with their godless folly. Seeking to entrap us in sin. This is a very real struggle for the Christian. It is easier to give in to temptation than to fight it, and for fear of the fight, we give in, forgetting that God is on our side and He will fight the battle for us, giving us what we need to overpower the temptation. Jesus has experienced this encampment, this pressure to sin, in absolutely every conceivable way. Heb 2:18 says, “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” And in Heb 4:15 we read, “ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” He is willing and able to help you overcome whatever temptation comes your way today. There is no need for you to make a covenant with sin. The idea of a covenant here is to form an alliance of friendship, and as we read in Jas 4:4b, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” One more thing. “The word “serve” here means to be a slave to, it is “to make weary, fatigued.” Beloved, though the short term temptation to sin may seem attractive and an easy way out, in the long run it will fatigue your soul. It'll wear you out and turn you toward hopelessness. But be of good cheer, there is a way out! Turn away from your sin and turn to Jesus. Let Him deliver you from your slavery! He is willing and able!