Desert Journey – Day 28
Entice, tempt, distract, lure, all tactics used to draw us away from something. Jesus was lured and tempted, why wouldn’t we expect the same? Not only should we expect it, but identifying it is key.
Temptation can come in discrete forms that can be really hard to identify. That’s how the enemy works, discretely. Yesterday, I was tempted with lethargy. Plain and simple, I did not want to do something I had committed to do, something that would help others. Why wouldn’t I want to do this, help others on a retreat? Isn’t that what being a Christian is all about, loving and serving God and others?
The lure crept in. You know, it starts with the lies – you are all alone, things will go wrong, no one appreciates it, and on and on. I was bathed in a mixed bag of emotions. In a blink of an eye, I bought the enemy’s lies and sat myself in a pool of lethargy and idleness.
Thank God for those who can identify the temptations in our lives and the work of the enemy, when we ourselves cannot see.
Jesus and I are walking, a casual pace. He is filling my heart with peace. It is good that we are here, he says. Guide me Lord, as I spend today where you have called me to serve; fill my heart with love and only love. These lyrics come to mind, “Here’s My Heart, Lord; speak what is true.”
And that’s how we know when it’s of God and when it isn’t….
Amen and you are not alone with the questioning and self worth.
When the devil tempts with his lies, then we know we are walking with Jesus! I have come to believe if we did not have those temptations then the enemy would not be afraid of our work!
The enemy is very discreet. I pray that the Holy Spirit, in His mercy, will always help us to see and respond when He makes us aware of the enemies presence and luring …
Thank you for this post! I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and lured away today.
My wise pastor once said the devil accomplishes more with inertia than he does with anything else.