Christians are confident that temptation of all sort are not from God. Temptation is clearly of the devil. In most cases, the devil watches for the time of weakness of those on the side of God and pounce. Recently in the world place and most especially Nigeria, all manners of scandals that has to do with female, fame and fortune are been associated with men and women of God. It is precisely for the purpose of addressing its causes and finding ways to stem than this article is written. In the book of 1st corinthians chapter 10 vs 13, it is written that “no temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But god can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has its way out, so that it will be possible for you to bear it”.(j.b phillips translation).
Given this assurance, it is easy to conclude that if we stay on guard, stand firm and in faith and pray ceaselessly, we will outsmart whatever the temptation.
However, as the world changes the subtlety of the devil gets more sophisticated. Whereas the church was once in some sort of control in the past in regards to public conduct and regulations of the society, these has been totally lost to world governments. Ironically, in the quest to be seen in good light by the general public, most government went ‘liberal’ and cancelled regulations, bylaws, and censorship in order to gain more acceptance. To this end, caution was thrown out
and all manners of behavior surfaced boldly. Man can now marry even ‘so-called’ churches. Topless and transparent gowns are now a norm even in africa and mini-skirt and shorts which exposes thighs of ladies are commonplace.
Comfort living is also defined in terms of very expensive cars, palatial buildings, private aircraft, yachts, and special fabrics, boarding in five star hotels . Meanwhile pastors, reverend, bishop, evangelist and apostles and indeed all workers in the vineyard are part of the society which in away gives approval to these worldly things. Sadly, we see them daily and slowly became consumers. As if fact, these unwholesome culture crept into the church by way of singing, dancing dressing, offering and testimonies. Question began to rise in line with thoughts based on “whether it is possible to attract worshipers without
being prosperous, after all, whoever will provide completions l clothing for the wretched must wear good ones’.
The race to covert unbelievers or ‘win souls’ also degenerated into highfalutin preaching. The use of hyperbole and theatrical appeals and grand and concocted orations rose to high dimensions. But the bible warns us to beware of the wiles of the devil. Attack is straightforward, but wiles is deceptive, pre-planned process of conquest for decisive out comes – such as lust of the eyes, or of the flesh being fulfilled without the consciousness of the attacked person. So, how do we respond? As I said earlier, it is easy to pray, and repent when you know that you are a sinner.
Take the story of the pharisee and the publican for example, the pharisee was obsessed by his own virtue (just as pastors today) in contrast with the tax collector who approached God for forgiveness of his sins. The publican can be said to understand that he was a sinner and also that the pharisee was oblivious of his sins or the gravity thereof.
My take here is that we ought to converse pastors’ meeting, conferences, syposia or workshops to address temptation as an issue itself. How to grow church or strategies for soul winning are good, but a greater is the avenue to address the festering sore of scandals that is rocking men of God and erecting gates on the path of evangelism on daily basis.
To confront alcoholism, alcoholic anonymous was set up. It works. Datto for drugs. If we begin to talk to ourselves, aside of prayers (which is key) solutions will emerge. The word asserts that ‘where two or three gather in the name of the lord, he is with them’. Where the lord is, liberty will be there. New ideas to confront new weapons of the devil will be given by the holy spirit. Criticism of a church or a bishop or a pastor will not work. It will only exacerbate poor behavioral and divide us into camps. But where genuine will to shatter the current misdemeanor in the kingdom is an agenda, the holy spirit will help to show us, remind us and teach us to great and mighty things we can use to confront and decimate temptation of the devil.
Let us come together and reason with one another. Let us ask God to show us new ways to deal with the current demonic powers. Nigeria is different from Germany. our witches are different. our adversaries are getting subtler and craftier. rituals are festering and the league to destroy churches are growing. so when shepherds are stricken, whaf will the sheep do? and the pit is getting deeper and wider.
