For some
figuring out which of these topics fits our personal life or ministry is going
to be easier than for others (like me). As I read through Anderson’s book there
was a ton of material that stood out to me and my best effort would have to be
ironically in choosing to be from chapter nine tempted to do it my way. I often
have moments where some decisions are very spontaneous and others are long and
drown out. The truth that lies behind both of them is the fact that I want to
be the one in control of the outcome. According to Anderson “every temptation is
an enticement to live independently of God.”[1] With
that being said there is truth to behind it because we often think we can take
better care of ourselves than God.
The best
way to change that is to live in a deep understanding of what Paul wrote, “All
things are lawful for me but not all things are profitable. All things are
lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Cor. 6:12). After gaining that understanding and knowing
that while in Christ we have liberty we also need to know how to moderate
things so that the devil cannot get a foothold. Because, “he’s watching you
too, looking for soft spots of vulnerability in your physical appetites for
food, rest, comfort, and sex. Temptation is greatest when hunger, fatigue, and loneliness
are acute.”[2]
So once we take care of covering our front, back and sides, we eliminate the
chance to give up to our lusts.
It is easy
to deceive ourselves or to even be deceived by Satan, when we take what should
be a good thing and elevate it to a place of power in our lives. When we
continually choose to serve ourselves and not seek God and the plan He has in
store for us we actually are giving ground to the enemy, because if he can get
us to stop pursing God, he is almost as happy as if he got us to sin. Anderson proclaims,
“You may think you are serving yourself, but whenever you stop worshipping and
serving God you are in reality worshipping and serving Satan—which is what he
wants more than anything else.”[3] So
as long as we can keep our focus continually on God and truly do things that
are in service to Him, we do not allow ourselves to become victims of idolatry.
