Author: icbc

Introduction

´Life` as a concept has been used to mean different things in different context. There is life in this physical world and life in the spiritual world. This newsletter discusses “life in this world” as the things of this world, its pleasures and interests (Webster).

Life in this world is sensual

In His parable of the sower, Jesus mentions that some people happily accept the word of God but they soon get chocked with the cares and riches as well as the pleasures of this life, that is life in this cosmic world and they do not bring fruits to perfection (Luk 8:14). Believers are, therefore, warned to be circumspect because they could be consumed by surfeiting, drunkenness and cares of this life which could send us to the hellfire (Luk 21:34).

Paul also cautions his readers not to abuse or immerse themselves into the fashion of this life as it is fading away (1Co 7:31). The things in this world have been given to men to enjoy but abusing them and giving ourselves to their excessive use makes it evil. So, if believers entangle themselves with the affairs of this life, they would not please God (2Ti 2:4). Christians must constantly remind themselves that they are not of this world (Joh 8:23) but they are pilgrims or sojourners (Heb 11:13, 1Pt 2:11).

As pilgrims and children of God, we are not supposed to love this world or things in it because if we do, then the love of God is not in us. All that is in this world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which are not of God and His Christ (1Joh 2:15-16).

Again, life in this physical world is sensual in that it breeds competition. People in this world pride themselves of what they can do, and what they have been able to amass. These are things that shall be left behind in a twinkling of an eye. Believers may challenge themselves and each other to excellence but it is unintelligible for them to compete with each other. As Paul rightly puts it:

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2Co 10:12). Those who compare themselves do many unwholesome things in their bid to overtake their competitors. They are ready to supplant, blackmail, and even kill their neighbors in order to win or succeed in this life.

Conclusion

This world was created for man and s/he is expected to have dominion over things in it, but the regenerate man is not supposed to abuse those things that are in it. S/he is not supposed to love this world or overindulge in it because it is passing away.

Prayer: May the Holy God help us ignore the excessive pleasures of this world, and live lives of chastity as we serve Him. This we ask in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. AMEN!

 

 

Introduction

It has been detailed in the past discussions, that Jesus Christ is revealed in the book of Psalms. His encounter with the devil on the mountain was foreseen by Psalms. A scripture that was used by the devil to tempt Jesus is found in Psalms. This scripture is discussed in this piece of writing.

 The temptation of Christ

 It is read that the devil took Jesus to the holy city and made Him stand on a pinnacle of the temple and said unto Him:

“If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands, they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Mat 4:5-7, Luk 4:10).

These words of the devil were taken from the book of Psalms, where it is written:

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Psa 91:11-12).

The above scripture speaks of God´s protection for all His children but the devil´s use of this particular scripture, to tempt Jesus, is not a mere coincidence. God intentionally put it in the Bible to fulfill this same purpose. As Jesus affirms, “all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luk 24:44).

Satan: the father of lies

The scriptures that promise or assure believers of God´s protection are dependable and trustworthy, but the devil used this deceptively with the intention to terminate the life of Christ and His mission on earth. He intended to influence Jesus to obey him and to cause Him harm. Jesus knew that the devil is a liar and the father of lies (Joh 8:44) because he has been lying from the beginning. Jesus was not outwitted by the enemy because He knew him from the beginning. Believers must be wise if they would ever defeat the devil and his stratagems. Paul writes that we are not ignorant of the devices of Satan so he cannot get an advantage of us (2Co 2:11).

Conclusion

It is worth noting that every word, phrase, or a sentence in the Bible has a purpose to fulfill. The Psalms have written a lot about the Messiah as Christ Jesus attests. The devil´s words used to tempt Jesus was not directly written to be used by the enemy, but it was also written so that the devil might use it to purport his agenda.

Prayer: May the Lord God protect our feet from slipping and cause us to know the strategies of the enemy so that we could defeat him, and his ways, and give us to overcome him as Jesus did. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN!