Broken Chains

Have you ever been hungry? I mean really hungry. Did you notice how hard it is to do the right thing whenever you’re hungry?

In chapter 4 of Matthew, we see Jesus being tempted by Satan after fasting for forty days and forty nights. The Scriptures point out the obvious in saying that, by the end of this time, Jesus was hungry. When Satan began tempting Jesus, Jesus was hungry. Yet, He withstood the temptation and was still without sin.

Have you ever tried your hardest not to do something you knew was wrong? I know I have. I’ve struggled to keep myself from sin ever since coming to Jesus. A few months ago, I gave in to a particular sin that ended up hurting myself and some others as well. I had prayed “God, keep me from this sin because I do not have the strength and I will not be able to stop on my own.” Then, after withstanding for several minutes, I gave in. I could practically hear God telling me to stop. I felt the Holy Spirit hurting within me. Three times, I had the opportunity to stop and I ignored it. Why? Hadn’t I asked God to keep me from sinning?

Simply put, we sin because we want to sin. In our own strength, we try to keep ourselves from stumbling. We think that, if we are strong enough, we will not sin. We are not, however, strong enough. We think that, if we surround ourselves with likeminded individuals, they will keep us from sin. However, others cannot control us and they certainly cannot keep us from doing what we want to do. We may pray “God, keep me from sinning” and because He is the Almighty King of the Universe, He is more than capable of doing so. I don’t think He is going to do that, though.

No temptation has seized you beyond what normal people experience, and God can be trusted not to allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. On the contrary, along with the temptation he will also provide the way out, so that you will be able to endure. (I Corinthians 10:13 CJB)

This Scripture is what people like to interpret to say “well, God won’t give you more than you can handle”, causing many to feel like their faith must be inadequate. In actuality, God often gives us more than we can handle so that we will turn to Him. However, as Scripture clearly states, He will not allow us to be tempted more than we can bear and will always provide a way for us to avoid sin. Our problem is that, more times than not, we don’t take the way out.

If you are reading this right now, you may feel like it doesn’t matter. After all, won’t Jesus forgive you? While it is true that Jesus forgives, does that mean that we should continue living in sin?

So then, are we to say, "Let's keep on sinning, so that there can be more grace"? Heaven forbid! How can we, who have died to sin, still live in it? (Romans 6:1 - 2 CJB)

Now that we know that we who are in Christ should no longer live in sin, how do we avoid it? Is it hopeless?

If we claim to have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation [atonement]  for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (I John 1:6 - 10, 2:1 - 2 KJV)

In our natural condition we were headed for God's wrath, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah -- it is by grace that you have been delivered. That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with him in heaven, in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is his grace, how great is his kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God's gift. You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. (Ephesians 2:3 - 9 CJB)

We do not have to be in bondage to sin any longer. Jesus died on the cross, bearing the burden of all sins. He rose from the dead three days later, establishing victory over death and ascending into Heaven where He remains until God sends Him back to collect His church and judge the Earth.

You may feel like we still haven’t worked out how to avoid sin. The simple truth is that all of us sin and all of us will stumble again sooner or later. However, there is always a way out so that we do not sin. Yes, prayer is important and will help us to avoid sin. Godly relationships will help us as well. However, when Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness, He avoided sin by being familiar with Scripture. Every time Jesus was tempted, He quoted Scripture and Satan had to change tactics until, eventually, he backed down. Likewise, when we know Scripture, we can withstand temptation.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training in right living; thus anyone who belongs to God may be fully equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16 - 17 CJB)

See the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword -- it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through to the highest heaven, Yeshua, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we acknowledge as true. For we do not have a high priest unable to empathize with our weaknesses; since in every respect he was tempted just as we are, the only difference being that he did not sin. Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne from which God gives grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:12 - 16 CJB)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15 KJV)

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 KJV)

Many of us are familiar with the history of the Garden of Eden. When we read in Genesis, we see that Eve ate of the forbidden fruit and gave it to Adam, who also ate, and humanity fell into sin. They walked and talked with God in the Garden every day. As close as they were to God, they still allowed themselves to be tempted and fell.

While reading these Scriptures, I had a sudden revelation. Eve wasn’t familiar with the words of God. We can see in Genesis 3:2 – 3 that, when Eve was tempted, she said “We may eat from the fruit of the trees of the garden, but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, ‘You are neither to eat from it nor touch it, or you will die'”. Did you catch that? She added to God’s words. God never said that they couldn’t touch the fruit. Satan knew that and he pounced. “You won’t die”, he told her. Generally, lies will have a small bit of truth in them. It’s true that, if Eve had only touched the fruit, humanity might still be living in the Garden. If Adam had corrected her either then or whenever she brought him the fruit, humanity might still be living in the Garden.

Being unfamiliar with the Word of God was their downfall. We don’t have very many details about this time of history. Perhaps, she was just overwhelmed by temptation and touched the fruit. Perhaps, she saw Satan touching the fruit without dying. He may even have tossed the fruit to her and she could have caught it instinctively. I won’t speculate too much. However it happened, Eve must have seen that touching the fruit didn’t cause someone to die. So, she believed Satan and ate the fruit. When she didn’t immediately fall over dead, she must have been even more convinced and persuaded Adam to eat it.

While salvation is through the grace of God alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone, certain things must be done in order that we may withstand. We must pray. I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing”. We must surround ourselves with Godly people who encourage and build us up in the Lord.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23 - 25 ESV)

Finally, as we have previously established, we must be in the Scriptures. We must become familiar with them so that we can distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of Satan. When we are tempted, we must use Scripture as our Sword and Shield. Then, when our escape is revealed, we must both recognize it and take it.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10 - 20 KJV)

Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate, and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom. Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of deliverance; along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God's people. And pray for me, too, that whenever I open my mouth, the words will be given to me to be bold in making known the secret of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak boldly, the way I should. (Ephesians 6:10 - 20 CJB)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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 firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10 - 20 ESV)