Sunday, 2nd October, 2022
Bible Reading: 1 John 2: 15-17
Memory Verse: For everything that is in the world—the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16 (ISV)
Theologically, the three sources of temptation have been described as:
1. World — This refers to indifference and opposition to God’s design; all empty, and passing values.
2. Flesh — This refers to gluttony and sexual immorality, our corrupt inclinations, and disordered passions.
3. The Devil — A real, personal enemy, a fallen angel, father of lies, who labours in relentless malice to deceive us away from salvation.
Shall we go ahead to look intricately into the three things 1 John 2:16 says. Interestingly, Jesus our Master was also subjected to these three temptations yet was without sin.
1. Lust of the flesh: This is the desire or craving for physical pleasure. This refers to anything sinful done to satisfy the desires of our flesh. This talks about our uncontrolled appetite. Food, sex, illicit use of drugs, passion for sinful friends are common tools that aggravate man’s lust of the flesh. Uncontrolled appetite for food made Esau lose his destiny. Many would have broken away from the yoke of the devil had they added fasting to their prayers. Uncontrolled appetite for sex brought a generational curse upon the family of David – the tribe of Judah. Pornography and masturbation has reduced many to a life of secret struggle, secret pain and unstoppable addiction even as they war against their own members. Uncontrolled appetite for illicit drugs such as tramadol, cocaine, marijuana, etc, has made many a great destiny become candidates of deliverance and rehabilitation centres. Some destinies like that of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob could have blossomed and left a land mark on the sand of time had she selected her friends carefully (Genesis 34). Dear reader of DWOJ devotional, what aspect of the lust of the flesh is prospering in your life? What is your attitude towards food, sex, illicit drugs, alcohol, and friends?
Quote: The world has never, and will never offer you any lasting good.
Prophetic Decree: Yoke breaker, Jesus Christ of Nazareth shall break every evil yoke of addiction in your life, by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Father of Mercy, I repent of all the lust of the flesh in my life, in Jesus name. Sin shall not have dominion over me, in Jesus name.
2. Unlike Esau, I shall not lose my birthright because of uncontrolled appetite for food, in Jesus name.
3. I break every personal and family curse I have brought upon myself as a result of illicit sex, by the atoning Blood of Jesus, in Jesus name.
4. Any evil soul tie with any ungodly friend of mine, break, in Jesus name.
5. Demonic cravings for hard drugs, die, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38