Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 13, 14, Luke 10:1-21.
Memory Verse: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 (KJV)
The devil tempted Jesus and asked him to convert stones to bread knowing that he had the capability to do so. (Matthew 4:3) But Jesus did not, rather He replied him in Matthew 4:4 (KJV), “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” The bible tells us this temptation came when Jesus was very hungry as he had just completed fasting for forty days and forty nights. The question then is, why did Jesus not convert it? He didn’t because the power He had was not for selfish interest. It was to be used for benefit of mankind and to glorify God. When you do this, God will further increase His anointing upon you. However, when you want to exercise the power for self glorification, God will not back you up because that will be tantamount to tempting God.
This is what happened to a prophet in Ibadan when he decided to jump into a lion’s den. He was said to claim that the lion would not kill him just as was the case with Daniel. But the lion shredded him into pieces because he tempted God. God will come to your aid when there is anything beyond you and you call on Him. However, jumping into a lion’s den intentionally amounts to tempting God. Similarly, Jesus said in Luke 10:19 (KJV), “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” This is where you are forced into a circumstance like Daniel but if you decide to drink the poison intentionally, you will be tempting God and He will not come to your aid. God will not do for you what you can do yourself. However, where you are limited, God will come to your aid. So it is important that you know you have power over the enemy where the enemy is taking advantage of you and not when you want to show off.
God has given us authority over all the powers of the enemy but does not expect us to tempt Him. This is why the bible says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us as the power is not by us but by the Grace of Almighty God. This makes a believer to continually depend on God at all times recognising his fleshly limitation.
Action Point: Please ensure you do not tempt God in any area of your life.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero