3. Be aware of “opportune times.”
Recall Luke 4:13, which says, “When the devil had ended all the temptations, he departed from Him until another time.” In battle, the enemy attacks at opportune times. “Opportune times” in the Greek language is like a favorable wind blowing a ship toward its destination. Again, 1 John 2:16 reminds us that the world entices through cravings for physical pleasure and through covetousness, and through pride in our achievements and possessions. These are the three areas where the enemy will concentrate his focus. Be aware of these “opportune times.”
4. The source of our strength comes from the food that we choose.
What we feed grows, and what grows becomes the strong and dominating force within our lives. Sin never stands still—it either grows or withers, depending on whether we feed or starve it. Our thoughts become words, our words become actions, and our actions become habits. Who is shaping your thoughts? A daily diet of violence, lust, anger and depression will fuel those very things in your life.
Again, the devil doesn’t make us do anything; he simply presents the bait. James 1:14-15 says that each one of us “But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.” In other words, temptation says, “Feed me so I can destroy you.”
In closing, be encouraged. Recall 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
