How important is it to protect your spiritual gates (eyes, ears, feet, mind, fingers, etc) from things that would lead to temptation?
Let’s see what Jesus says about the subject: “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” (Matt 5:29-30 NKJV)
That sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it?
And why would Jesus suggest something this drastic? Because He knew the truth of James 1:14 & 15! James teaches us that temptation starts in our “own desires”. When our “own desires” are “enticed”, this begins to draw us away: “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (James 1:14) The more we contemplate the temptation, the more desire is conceived: “Then, when desire has conceived …” (James 1:15a). It’s when we fall into this desire that we sin: “…it gives birth to sin …” (James 1:15b).
And we all know what the result of sin is: “…and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:15c); and “The wages of sin is death …” (Rom. 3:23)
Is it any wonder then, that Jesus warns us to guard our senses, our spiritual gates, carefully, so carefully that if they cause us to sin we cut them off?
The last two devotionals in this series have looked at some practical ways of placing a guard over our senses. We’ve learned the following practical steps:
1. Stay AWAY from potentially tempting things, do not bring them into our environments;
2. Putting a guard over our thoughts to “shut out” any that are potentially ugly;
3. Closely following Biblical guidelines;
4. Live a holy lifestyle; and
5. Allow no compromise, and don’t expose ourselves to the accepted compromises of the world.
But in a world full of perverseness and sin, where what once was frowned upon is now accepted practice and considered alternative lifestyles, this can be very difficult to do. In fact, on our own we don’t stand a chance!
But before you get too discouraged, remember, we are NOT on our own: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10:13 NKJV)
How do we access that help?
I believe the answer is found in Ephesians 6:11-18.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
This is the first piece of good advice: We need to be strong in our faith! We need to believe in His ability to help us through!
But wouldn’t it be nice if we had some armour for protection?
Good news. We do! “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil… Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
So what is this armour, and how do you put it on?
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth …”
The first piece of armour is a belt – designed to hold all of our clothing together – of Truth! Jesus is our Truth! Why not put Him on daily?
“…having put on the breastplate of righteousness…”
The second piece is designed to protect our hearts: The breastplate of righteousness! Remember, Jesus’ righteousness is ours (see Is 61:10)! Claim it as your own, and wear it proudly!
“and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace…”
No armour is complete without footwear, and the Bible suggests peace for our feet. Everywhere our feet fall, we need to leave behind a footprint of peace. Put on Jesus’ peace today, friends!
“…above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
Ahhh. The shield! The covering of faith that will deter any temptation thrown our way: Faith! Believe in what Jesus represents, friends! Have faith in Him, and the devil’s temptations cannot touch you! Rather, they will bounce OFF of you!
“And take the helmet of salvation…”
Our heads definitely need covering: with Salvation! It is ours, we have received it, why not accept it anew daily? Never doubt this gift! It will go a long ways towards your protection!
“… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God …”
Amidst all of the protection we’re recommended to wear, there is one piece designed to fight back with: God’s Word! Get into it. Let it get into you! Believe its Truth. And use it against the enemy. Remember when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness? His response was always, “For it is written …” (see Luke 4:4,8,10)
Most people stop the list of God’s armour here, but there is just one more vitally important piece of advice: “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints …” (Eph 6:10-18 NKJV)
Finally, we are admonished to pray! To pray in the Spirit. To pray for ourselves. To pray for one another!
Friends, if trying to provide protection for your senses to guard against temptation seems so difficult, like you’re walking in the world without protection, you don’t need to be! Make it a habit each morning to put on Righteousness, Salvation, Faith, Peace, Truth, and take up the Word of God. Then go through the day with a prayer on your lips. This is how you stand firm. This is how you repel the wiles of the devil!
Join us next Saturday for PROTECTING YOUR SPIRITUAL GATES, Part 4: What do you do When you try to be Careful, But …
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two teens, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, www.scripturalnuggets.org, with Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org.
(To access the entire “Protecting Your Spiritual Gates” mini-series, please click here.)