The Spiritual Man's Obstacle CourseSample

6. CUT the NET (part 1)

The Net Monster

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Nets can be very helpful. They can catch us when we fall, keep our cargo in place, and cover or protect things from outside elements. But nets can also be tough to climb over, crawl under, or get a grip on. And nets are especially easy for us to get stuck or trapped in. Temptation is a trapping net, not a safety net. It’s a net all men must climb over or crawl under. It’s one of the recurring trials in life we struggle to get a grip on.

Satan comes to catch us with his NET of temptation just like Jesus went through temptation in the desert and just like Adam and Eve in the Garden.

Yet here’s something interesting. The way Adam and Eve were tempted in the beginning, is the exact approach Satan took to Jesus. And Jesus came to set the record straight between man and Satan–as the firstborn of the New Testament, enabling all of us for all time, to overcome like he did.

Here’s the three approaches of Satan’s NET of temptation since the dawn of time:

1. Needs. Temptation always appeals to our immediate needs or certain needs. To Adam and Eve, the deceiver said, “Look how beautiful the fruit of this tree is, don't you think it will be delicious?” And to the Son of God, he dared pitch these questions during a fast, “Are you not hungry? Can't you turn these stones to bread?”

Obviously, sin won’t be appealing if it’s not something we feel we need to have or desire to do. That’s why the enemy will tempt to catch you with a net of needs! Sometimes it might even be things we really do need. Other times it might be passions and desires we have not yet put to rest…

2. Ego. We spoke about pride, and whether you know it or not, all men have some degree of an ego. Almost like an IQ, we just tend to have more of an ego and often think it’s our IQ. In the beginning the serpent lied by saying that if man eats the fruit, he’ll become like God. Now that’s alluring, isn’t it? Every temptation is a twisted truth that appeals to our ego because men gained the same knowledge of good and evil that God has but not his power or immortality. Tricked by the treat!

Enter Jesus… the packaging differs, but the strategy stays the same. Satan says, “Worship me and I will give you the whole world's kingdoms (riches, power, pleasure, etc.)” We must admit this would have been more tempting than fruit. But Jesus did not succumb to the ego of man. He rather focused on God’s glory.

3. Trust. Tempted regarding our trust. Since the beginning the enemy has been sowing seeds of doubt. “Did God really say this? About only this tree?” And with Jesus, he takes trust a step further. “Why don't you jump and see if He'll catch you?”

But in God, we trust! And there’s literally no temptation man ever faced that Jesus did not overcome. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded. And so can we!

Read Genesis 3:1-7 and reflect on the following:

• What’s your observation(s) from this reading?
• What’s your understanding of Satan’s strategies to trap us with temptation?
• What’s your biggest obstacle to countering these things in your own life?
• What should you pray about after today’s reading?