1 John 2:15-17

What is your greatest temptation? That might seem like a loaded question. As I have ministered to and discipled men for quite some time I have found that men are under attack. The first ordination of God is marriage and the home. In the first few chapters of Genesis we find God creating Adam as the pinnacle of his creation but something was lacking, a suitable helper for man. The only thing that God said was not good was the loneliness of man. The viable option was to create a woman from his side. God then joined the two together in a holy union that is incomparable to any other earthly relationship. God highly values marriage. He ordained Adam to be the head of the home to lead in Godliness and it did not take long for Satan to notice.

From the very beginning, the enemy has been out to destroy the holy foundation of the home. He attacked Adam and Eve in a very subtle way and he is still doing so today. I believe strongly that healthy churches are comprised of healthy homes. If we are going to have healthy homes we have to be healthy men who know our calling, live our calling, and protect our calling.

John has given the first century church a great warning in 1 John 2:15-17. Failure to recognize the attacks of the enemy will lead to spiritual demise. The desire of the flesh, desire of the eyes, and the pride of life are the same three temptations Satan used in the beginning and has been using throughout the course of history. Don’t be foolish and unaware. Satan is out to get you because if he can attack Godly men he can weaken the home. If he can weaken the home he can cripple the church.

Jesus offered such warning in terms of total execution of the things that trip you up. Whatever is leading your flesh astray – run from it. Whatever is causing your eyes to wander – remove it. Whatever is bringing pride into your life – destroy it.

With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit you can defeat temptation today because Jesus has already conquered the enemy.