More on the 3 temptations

Dear all,

Thinking further on the subject of the 3 temptations, I figured that it can be basically classified as follows:-

(i)                  Listening to your flesh

(ii)                Listening to your eyes and mind

(iii)               Listening to your ego.

In every temptation, we have the choice to respond according to our flesh, eyes and mind or ego, or to choose to follow God’s way. Although this is certainly very difficult, we can certainly improve our Christian walk if we set our hearts towards considering God in every area of our lives at all times.

In discerning God’s voice, we can hone our listening better by:

(i)                  Spending more time in the Word

(ii)                Practice being aware of God’s presence throughout day and night

(iii)               Pray often and in humility ask God for help to meet the day’s trials

Temptation	Example	Choice	Example
Listen to your flesh	I’m hungry, I give up on  fasting I love the taste of chocolate, I indulge myself excessively I feel like beer, I drink till I get drunk I feel horny, I commit sin I feel tired, I ignore the traffic rules and the feelings of other drivers	Listen to God	I’m hungry, I practice long-suffering and self-control I love chocolate, but I control myself. I feel like beer, but I refrain I feel horny, I choose to submit to God and control my passions by His strength I feel tired, but I persevere in patience for the Lord’s sake
Listen to your eyes and mind	I look at the wealthy, I want to be rich like them and pursue all means of making money I look at the beautiful, I want to be like them (obsessed w.beauty treatments, slimming, hair-dos, clothes etc.) I look at the movies/soccer games, I want to catch all the latest shows/matches. I look at computer games, I become addicted to them. I look at the well-qualified, I want to gain all the academic qualification to be as prestigious		I am contented with what God has given me. I enjoy movies/soccer games, computer games etc. but God comes first, and I do not become absorbed in them. I treasure education, but I recognize the greater importance of knowing God’s word.
Listen to your ego	I am ridiculed, I seek revenge I am scolded, I retaliate in anger I am challenged, I go out of the way to prove myself.		I learn to be humble I turn the other cheek. I know my place as God’s child and don’t have to prove it.

God bless,

Jason