"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not!"

           Oh...What a passionate counsel! What a divine advice! What a pious entreaty of a caring and loving father to his beloved about the consequences of being carried away by the world of the devil. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, gave this counsel to his son, just as his father, David, gave him in 1 Chronicles 28:9-10. And Solomon said to his, “… if sinners, the unbelievers, the wicked, unbelieving and unholy entice thee, consent thou not…”Say no like Joseph, Jesus and just as Peter said to Simon. Beware, for we live in an age wherein the simplicity that is in Christ is being taken for granted; and this was Paul’s fear- 2 Corinthians 11:3. The simplicity in Christ Jesus is the Grace of God which brought salvation. And today many have come to a point in their lives in which they have become ‘familiar’ with God. And Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth concerning his fear for them, lest satan deceives them, just as he had deceived Eve. Solomon advised that if a man were to enjoy the security of God, His peace and prosperity, he must be watchful, sober and check those with whom he associates, lest he be enticed through various means unknowingly. Though they offer you all which they think they can offer, be it counsel, help or whatsoever; ‘WATCH!’ For we now see that this deceit has entered the Church. Many now are becoming familiar with God; they feel like they now dwell with Christ and so cannot be moved…

          But we have been told to be on watch! Why? Lest that old dragon (who deceives the world) entices you. And for this, Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Faithful One, asked that man be careful. Beware lest anyone; any brother, sister, friend, pastor, believer, sinner, politician, man or woman deceive you or spoil you with the philosophy of this world-Colossians 2:6-8. Remember that this philosophy deals with the world system; how it thinks, behaves, acts and work; and these doctrines are always opposed to that of the Old Time Christianity. This philosophy always move in the direction as opposed to the ways of God. They are the philosophies of men, which will lead men off the straight path, and into hell. It strives to see the Scriptures through logic, refusing to believe in the Word of God, but rather deciding to reason out every word for its benefit. It has nothing to do with the Lord, with His Word, Heaven and Christianity. And it has followers. They claim that if Jesus is the Son of God (and so be God) and His mother be Mary, then Mary is the mother of God. And if she be His mother, then she is greater than Jesus and should be worshipped rather than the Son. Also, they claim that if Mary be the mother of Jesus, then she must have a husband who will be the father of God. Again, they decided together, that since Jesus was born into the world on an unknown date, then in order to be celebrated and remembered, they dedicated a generally known date for His worship and called it 'His birthday', yet on this same day, wickedness rises to a height unexpected. In this season, not only do the so-called Christians celebrate this birthday, but also the wicked men and women, witch doctors and sorcerers, rapists, murderers and extortionists. And I ask; 'If truly it be right and holy to celebrate His day, then why do these wicked men and women also partake in such an holy act?'  … All these are lies and misconceptions they use to cloud the thoughts of men… These are the rudiments of the world, enticements of sinners and sayings of liars; and if one be not careful, he would so easily be moved. 

          Many think they are too tough, too educated, too wise, too strong, too smart, too tricky, and so intelligent for the devil. They think that the enemy of God, cannot be able to deceive them. But what does the Bible say of him? Revelation 12:9 tells us that his own ministry is to deceive the WHOLE WORLD, and not a selected few. This devil is older than mankind, so there is no man (in his own might) who is wiser than this old dragon. Enticement means ‘to influence, woe, beguile, deceive, trap and also make one reject the truth'. After Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God, on His way back, the devil tempted Him. What the devil used first to tempt our Master was food; this also is that which he would use in the ministry of antichrist- no buying, no selling, no drinking nor eating. Even in our day, man's works, labors, is educated and desires wealth just so food be on the table -Matthew 4:1-4. Our whole work pursuit is so we can have food available for consumption; and the devil knows how much we need this food for our growth, living and health. He came to our Lord first with this deceit, “Turn stone to bread…” and our Lord knew who the devil was. Also, He refused to turn such stones to bread because He knew the Scriptures, “Man ought not to live by bread alone…” The bread is good and needful, yet when a man lives by it alone, such a way of life is dangerous, risky and unsafe. Again, he tempted Him with all other things such as jumping off the highest point of the Temple and bowing in worship to evil; but our Lord refused -The lifting of the devil is never a blessing…. The devil knew who our Lord Jesus was, yet he tried Him. He knew that Jesus was the Son of God, and therefore God Himself, yet he tried Him. The more spiritual you get, the harder the tempter pursues after you. One would think that after 40 days of fasting, the devil would have been cast down, weak, defeated and destroyed; but we see this wicked one, coming to the Master right after His fasting; yet some amongst us feel as though the devil will never be able to deceive or tempt them. 

          And In verse 11, “…angels came and ministered unto Him,” During the temptation and trial, the angels were around but didn’t come near; not until after He overcame did they come near to minister. Angels are always on standby, waiting to minister when one overcomes temptation. Many fall when the enemy strikes because they forget that there is a Man, an High Priest, Who was tempted just as we are, yet without sin- Hebrews 4:15. Temptation is a MUST for everybody; be it sinners, Christians, unbelievers, and believers, holy men, and unholy men. This temptation is just a suggestion to do evil. And the enemy tempts anywhere. Jesus was taken to the highest pinnacle of the Temple of God to be tempted, therefore it can occur anywhere. For the fact that you pray, fast and do various spiritual exercises, doesn’t mean that satan would not entice you. If all around you be followers of Christ, he would still find any outside to use in bringing you down. ‘Note that there exists Jacobs in Esau’s body’. He uses anything available to woe, entice, trap or influence a person, as seen in the case Eve- Genesis 3:1-7, and after she got deceived, she in turn deceived her husband. In 1 John 2:15-17, John warns that no man give heed to the lusts of the eyes which are not of the Father, neither the lust of the flesh nor pride of life. All that a man can call temptation can be categorized under these three. Eve was first tempted by the sight of the fruit, see verse 6(a), “And when the woman saw that the tree was GOOD for food…” Then again, she was tempted with lust of the flesh, as seen in verse 6(b), “…and that it was PLEASING to the eyes…” and finally, the pride of life, verse 6(c), “… and a tree to be desired to make one WISE…” And she took and ate of the tree! But with these same three was Jesus tempted, and He overcame. No sin, committed in this world which cannot be categorized under one of these three.

           Still on the various means of temptation, Jacob enticed Esau by what he saw. Jacob discovered that Esau desired that pottage which he saw, and used it in exchange for his birthright; and Esau sold his birthright. He didn’t know that the relationship he had with his father was tied to his birthright, but when the time for blessing came, Esau sought for his blessings but there was none left for him; Jacob had supplanted him-Hebrews 12:16-17. He sought it with strong tears, but there was no way back. Revelation 2:14 -Remember also the prophet Balaam who was endowed by God to bless with his tongue. This man could see visions due to that which God had placed in him, yet he wasn’t contented. He desired more wealth and material things, and for this reason, he decided to change the will of God for his life, into his own. And this is what many do in our day, they change the will of God for their lives into their own. Balaam, through his evil counsel, made the children of Israel commit immorality, while even eating of that which had been sacrificed to devils- Deuteronomy 32:17, 1 Corinthians 10:20. And Ananias and Sapphira were a couple who took counsel from the thought placed in their hearts by the enemy to lie. This couple sold a piece of land, kept part, and instead of telling plainly the truth, they lied, thinking it was to a man that they spoke. But they were lying to the Holy Spirit instead, and they were destroyed.

            Again, we see simon, that sorcerer, who despite his salvation, yet pursued after evil. We are told that at the height of Philip’s preaching, this Simon got truly saved, gave up his wicked ministry and went for the ways of Christ. Yet when Philip called for Peter and some other apostles for assistance in the ministering of the Holy Spirit, this Simon saw the works of Peter, and began to covet for power. And with the money he made through his former sales of idols, he offered Peter wealth for power. But thank God for Peter who stood his ground, refusing to be swayed, and condemned Simon for such an act. Many claim that in our Church, we are too strict with the way we speak, live, act and work; but I proudly say that such as is done can be learned from the ways of Peter. He charged that Simon made his heart and ways right with God, in order that he be forgiven. And then we hear Paul speak so of a companion, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” This man left Paul for Thessalonica, the city of commerce- 2 Timothy 4:10. 

           And like unto Jesus, and Peter, we see Joseph. Joseph was a child who though came at the later end of Jacob’s life (after ten males had been born to him), yet was highly favored. We know that at a very young age, he came to love the Lord, and with this, the Lord placed certain dreams in his life. These dreams he told to his family members who he loved. But his brothers despised him, and sought even to kill him. 

What is prosperity? Prosperity is not the availability of money, car, houses and neither is it seen in the kind of crowd you pull… Joseph was put in a well, and yet our Bible tells us that, “God was with him…” THAT IS PROSPERITY. He was pulled out, sold to Egypt and yet again we are told, “God was with him…,” that whatever he touched prospered and Potiphar placed all in his hands. The wife of Potiphar therefore set her eyes upon him, and found him handsome to look upon, but when she made her entreaty, Joseph clearly refused. She continued with her request till finally she acted, but he fled. And her false story got him to prison, but while in there, God was yet with him, and anything he did prospered. Joseph's story is that of prosperity; an unquenched presence of God, which made all he did to prosper, till he sat on the seat, next to the monarch of Egypt. And thence came the fulfillment of his dream- Ecclesiastes 4:14

          I must tell you that God is calling all Christians to DISCERN- 1 John 4:1-3. Though Isaac was old, and his eyes already dim, yet he ought to have been able to discern that the child who bade him, " Arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison..." was actually Jacob and not Esau. Test every spirit, for the enemy is out to get as much as he can from the world before Christ’s coming. Revelation 3:11 appeals that we hold fast that which we have, that no man take our crown. This crown is one which cannot be bought with money; but it is a crown of glory, righteousness and holiness. The devil is out to get many, but if you are spiritual, then you have the Grace and Spirit of God in you for guidance, direction and comfort. 

This is a season, wherein the enemy would use various means to deceive you, be it news, job opportunity, free food, new clothes, latest fashion, hairstyles and gifts. Gifts steal the heart. These gifts aren’t just 'cash at hand', but can also be 'words in the mouth', which when spoken can steal a heart. No one is against gift-giving, but in doing so, your garments must be pure, for if you give gifts in wickedness, your reward will be in hell.

Beware of worldly enticements. TO SUCH;

Joseph said no… Peter said no… Jesus, our Lord, said no….

And I ask; WILL YOU SAY NO ALSO?

"My son, if sinners entice you, consent thou not..."

REMAIN BLESSED!!!