Quote from Forum Archives on April 25, 2001, 9:27 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This message is well worth reading through. When we first hear
or see the word "lust", a certain picture comes into our minds.
I would encourage you to read the entire message that Neil
Anderson shares today. It may broaden your definition of what
can be considered "lust". If any of us thinks that lust does
not, in some way affect us, I would encourage a closer look.
This message indicates that even Jesus was tempted by lust.
Notice that Jesus did NOT submit to those temptations, but they
were there, just the same. If our Saviour, Redeemer, Sustainer,
and Lord, can be tempted, you know we can, too. The question is,
will we be aware of it, and what will our response be?

My prayer is that this message will heighten our awareness of the
lusts and other temptations we face, and give us the opportunity
to confess those things to God and ask Him to teach us how to
withstand such temptations. In fact, Jesus gives us the answer -
know what the scripture says so we will be aware, withstand the
deception, and turn away from it.

Dear Lord, I know that temptation abounds, virtually everywhere I
turn. I desire not to be moved or swayed in any way by such
things. But it is very clear to me that I will be unable to
withstand the constant temptation around me, unless You help me
deal with it. Help me understand what Your guiding principles
are. Help me remember them when something else comes along to
deter me or turn me in another direction. Protect me from the
harm of such false thinking. Forgive me when I fail to listen to
You. Keep me near to You, and draw me to Your side. Thank You
for the great love You have, which desires to save me from the
deception of temptation. Amen.

Brother Brian

Reply-to: Neil Anderson <neilanderson@lists.crosswalk.com>
From: "Crosswalk.com" <neilanderson@lists.crosswalk.com>
To: <masinick@yahoo.com>
Subject: Neil Anderson Devotional for Wednesday, April 25, 2001

N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

April 25

THE LUST OF THE FLESH

The lust of the flesh... is not from the Father, but is from
the world (1 John 2:16).

Satan first approached Eve through the channel of the lust of the
flesh. He planted a doubt in her mind about the fruit of the
tree when he said: "Has God said, 'You shall not eat from any
tree of the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1). Eve answered, "God has
said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it'" (verse 3). But
Satan had piqued her appetite for the forbidden fruit, and she
"saw that the tree was good for food" (verse 6). Yielding to the
lust of the flesh contributed to Adam and Eve's downfall.

Satan also challenged Jesus through the channel of the lust of
the flesh. Our lord had been fasting for 40 days when Satan
tempted Him in the wilderness at the point of His apparent
vulnerability: "If You are the Son of God, command that these
stones become bread" (Matthew 4:3). Satan is not omniscient, but
he's not blind either. He learned about Jesus' apparent
vulnerability to physical temptation by watching Him go without
food for 40 days. He's watching you too, looking for soft spots
of vulnerability in your appetites for food, rest, comfort and
sex. Temptation is greatest when hunger, fatigue and loneliness
are acute.

The temptation of the lust of the flesh is designed to draw us
away from the will of God to serve the flesh (Galatians 5:16,
17). When Satan tempts you through the channel of the lust of
the flesh, he will invite you to fulfill your needs in ways that
are outside the boundary of God's will. Whenever you feel
enticed to meet a legitimate need by acting independently of God,
you are being tempted through the lust of the flesh.

When you resist the temptations of the lust of the flesh, you are
declaring your dependence on God for your needs. As such you are
remaining "in the vine," tapping into the resources Jesus
referred to in John 15:5. But when you yield to temptation in
this area, your fruitfulness as a Christian will suffer because
apart from Christ you can do nothing.

You are a strong, fruit vine, Lord, and I will not wither as long
as I remain in You. Strengthen me today to resist the temptation
to meet my needs apart from You.

-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by
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< devotionals.crosswalk.com >.
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