Balak, who was the king of Moab, asks the prophet Balaam to curse the approaching people of Israel. This strategy failed. So Balak came up with a new plan. This new plan involved the cooperation of his prophet Balasm, and the key was seducing the men of Israel with the women of Moab, as then feeding them food which had been dedicated to their idols. The people of Israel fell for this scheme and the result was that God punished Israel by sending a deadly plague.
We can see from this story that the plans of evil didn't stop when the first scheme didn't work. They merely shifted their strategy. The second plan was simple, corrupt the daily choices of what God's people ate and seduce the men with the beautiful women of Moab.
We can see from this story that the plans of evil didn't stop when the first scheme didn't work. They merely shifted their strategy. The second plan was simple, corrupt the daily choices of what God's people ate and seduce the men with the beautiful women of Moab.
Within days God's people went from being blessed to being enemies of God. From being protected to dying without warning. From victory to despair.
Remember this truth, Evil doesn't stop and it doesn't rest. When Satan was tempting Jesus in the desert, the deal breaker came after the first two temptations had failed. This third temptation involved giving the Son of God a shortcut to ruling the world, a path that didn't include the cross. How Jesus must have been tempted, even for a moment, to consider the easier path, the choice that didn't include being tortured and persecuted for the sins of all men.
Remember this truth, Evil doesn't stop and it doesn't rest. When Satan was tempting Jesus in the desert, the deal breaker came after the first two temptations had failed. This third temptation involved giving the Son of God a shortcut to ruling the world, a path that didn't include the cross. How Jesus must have been tempted, even for a moment, to consider the easier path, the choice that didn't include being tortured and persecuted for the sins of all men.
But being tempted is not the same as sinning (See the life of Joseph for further details). And Jesus responded as He had the previous two times, by quoting the Word of God. The Bible is our defense, it is the armory that holds the weapons we need to defeat the enemy. The expression "bringing a knife to a gunfight" pales in significance to a child of God facing the enemy without the power of God. (See the armor of God for more details)
In the book of Revelation, in chapter two, Jesus said to the church of Pergamum, "There are those who hold to the teaching of Balaam (the prophet in the story above) who enticed the Israelites to sin . . . Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." Jesus is reminding them that He had rescued them from the land where they once had lived. He had taken them out of their old life and given them a fresh start. And in return they were being tempted to return to their lives of sin, lives that had possessed no hope. To go from being blessed and protected by God, to becoming an enemy of God!
Temptations are never presented in their entirety. If we could see the end game of our choices to rebel against God surely that would persuade us to choose obedience. But the Bible clearly describes the end results of sin, saying that the wages of sin is death. The Bible also teaches us that there is a way that appears to be right to man but in the end it leads to death. (Romans 6:23 - Proverbs 14:12)
In the book of Revelation, in chapter two, Jesus said to the church of Pergamum, "There are those who hold to the teaching of Balaam (the prophet in the story above) who enticed the Israelites to sin . . . Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." Jesus is reminding them that He had rescued them from the land where they once had lived. He had taken them out of their old life and given them a fresh start. And in return they were being tempted to return to their lives of sin, lives that had possessed no hope. To go from being blessed and protected by God, to becoming an enemy of God!
Temptations are never presented in their entirety. If we could see the end game of our choices to rebel against God surely that would persuade us to choose obedience. But the Bible clearly describes the end results of sin, saying that the wages of sin is death. The Bible also teaches us that there is a way that appears to be right to man but in the end it leads to death. (Romans 6:23 - Proverbs 14:12)
So for us to choose sin means that we have to put away the robe of righteousness and discard the wisdom of God. He has prepared a way of salvation for all of us but we still have to choose! And remember, this battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
But there is good news! Jesus says, "To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." (Revelation 2: 17) Jesus is reminding us that just like there is a personal cost to sin there is a personal blessing in obedience. A life lived in pursuit of being obedient to Jesus will result in blessing beyond comprehension. "But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived--God has prepared these things for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Yes, it is true that evil never rests. But rejoice, our God never rests as well and He has overcome the enemy with the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
But there is good news! Jesus says, "To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." (Revelation 2: 17) Jesus is reminding us that just like there is a personal cost to sin there is a personal blessing in obedience. A life lived in pursuit of being obedient to Jesus will result in blessing beyond comprehension. "But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived--God has prepared these things for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Yes, it is true that evil never rests. But rejoice, our God never rests as well and He has overcome the enemy with the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
