Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

 Do you struggle with a certain sin? Maybe it’s: gossip, lying, stealing, pornography, drugs/alcohol, swearing, thinking bad thoughts…man the list is endless. From the very moment God created man and woman, Satan was right there ready to destroy His creation through acts of disobedience. Satan is cunning and smooth talking, he knows every person’s weakness, and he used these simple tactics on Eve, who he convinced to do the very thing God said NO.

 We all struggle with certain sins. No one is immune from the deceptive tactics of Satan. What’s your poison? Let me share something that truly came to light to me this morning. As I stated, and we all know this, Satan is always attacking Christians. If he can get you to pursue your weakest sin, he will use it to bring guilt, shame, and a feeling that God’s love and forgiveness has been removed. These are the lies Satan uses on a daily basis. So how do we overcome these tactics?

 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

 You might be the strongest person on the planet and have the willpower to overcome anything, except the smooth lure of Satan’s lies. You need God’s help to give you strength to fight off temptation and escape from the nets Satan sets up for you on a daily basis. It’s so important to stay prayed up throughout the day and being aware of your surroundings. If you sense temptation in the making, it’s time to pray. Example….say you lust over women. You are driving and go by a gas station and see a scantly dressed woman pumping gas, your mind kicks into overdrive and the temptation to look again and have lustful thoughts overwhelms you like a thunderstorm out of nowhere. You’ve got to know Satan probably arranged that setting just to trip you up. “God help me to keep my blinders on when I leave the house.” “God, I know there will be temptation to gossip when I’m around these people, help me to withstand the temptation or withdraw from them when the ugly conversation gets started.” “God, I’m feeling the pressure to drink or take drugs, to alleviate the pain and sadness I’m experiencing right now, heal my heart and keep me faithful to trust you in this moment of feeling overwhelmed.” “God create in me a heart of compassion and love for those I disagree with and show them the grace and mercy you’ve shown me.” The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much! James 5:16

 God’s listening and quite able to help you overcome the crafty lies Satan is speaking to you, especially at your weakest moment. Trust God to help you!

 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13