"Consider My Servant, ___________"

Temptation is something we all face most likely every day of our lives. But, it's not the temptation that is sinful, but giving in to the temptation that is sinful.  Even Jesus faced temptation, as we can read about in Matthew 4 (and also in Mark 1 and Luke 4). He overcame each of those temptations (as well as all other temptation throughout His life), not giving in to Satan in any way.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:15

Have you ever thought about "why" you are tempted? Do you ever consider the fact that God may actually be allowing Satan to tempt you? It may seem strange for us to consider this possibility, but we can read in Job how God did allow Satan to tempt him here:

One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"

Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."

Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Job 1:6-12

In this passage, God actually tells Satan to "consider" Job. God knew that Job was an upright and righteous man. He knew that Job would stay true to Him and sure enough, after everything Satan was allowed to do to Job (except God told Satan to not physically do anything harmful to Job), Job never turned away from God. Job lost everything, but in the end, God blessed Job even more than he had been in the beginning.

The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. Job 42:12

Now, think about your own life. Think about your temptations. Think about your relationship to God. Is it possible that God is allowing Satan to tempt you to show him that you will remain true and faithful?   Is God saying to Satan, "Consider my servant, ______________ (insert your name here)?"  Is it possible that in the temptation and suffering you may be enduring that in the end God will to bless you even more than He did before - just as He did with Job? It's quite possible! Nothing is impossible with God!

Use the temptations in your life to grow more in your faith and your trust in God. The thought of being tempted personally by Satan should make us even stronger and more courageous in our Christian battle. Satan is the enemy.  God is our commanding officer. Let's put on our armor and win the battle!