Divine insight BY HUMPHREY MUTANDWA
AFTER his 40 days of fasting and prayer, Jesus was tested in three areas, which were the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. These three are the major areas of temptation for all believers. In one of the tests, the devil understood Jesus was hungry. So he assumed Jesus would yield to the lust of his flesh. The way the master was tempted is the same way many believers are tempted.
He even experienced the same emotions and feelings we go through when we are also tested. So, the devil tested Jesus in an area he assumed was an area of his weakness. At that moment, Jesus was hungry, but he responded by saying man could not live by bread alone.
From the example of Jesus, you pick that if you do not have the Word of God, you cannot win this war. Remember we are not at war with the flesh, but the fleshly desires. Allow the Word of God to dominate your body and let all your actions be aligned to God’s Word. The flesh has a voice and you can teach it new vocabulary through God’s Word.
I once heard of man who was a leader at a certain church, overseeing a congregation with over 250 people each Sunday. He demonstrated authority over the devil. He was at the peak of his ministry and enjoying his newfound relationship with God. During a 10-day fast, on the final day of fasting, a young woman approached him while he was alone in his house preparing to go to lead the church in prayer as they were about to conclude their fast.
The young woman had just a wrapper and had no undergarments. The young man did not know this and when he began to pray for her, she acted as if a demon was manifesting, pulling her wrapper from her body. The young man tried to resist looking, but could not. After the woman had calmed down, she put the wrapper back on, but the young minister had noticed that she was not wearing anything under. He could not resist the temptation and ended up sleeping with her.
The man had authority over the demons in the service, but he had no control over his own flesh. The same way Jesus was tempted by the devil could be the same way each believer is tried, but with different presentations and outcomes.
Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life are sins that affect a lot of individuals. One can be leader and yet struggle with pornography. Another can be married and still struggling with lust. Without the Word of God, you will struggle to deal with those three areas of sin. You need to understand you have dominion over your flesh through God’s Word.
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Our master Jesus, although he was tested, did not follow the desires of his flesh, but walked in authority over his flesh. You can be tested in these areas in different ways and when you overcome, you have won the fight over the flesh. Remember, it’s a continuous battle. King David said he had hidden the Word of God in his heart so that he would not sin. The Word of God allows your spirit man to have dominion over your flesh. Jesus was tested after the fast. Fasting is one way of training your body. Without the Word, when tested, you may fail the test. Fill yourself with the Word of God today.
God bless you!
Humphrey Mtandwa is an anointed minister of the gospel and teacher of the Word based in South Africa. He has written several books including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness and Theophany. He blogs at mtandwa.blogspot.com and can be contacted via e-mail or WhatsApp on +27 610286350.
