Closer you get to God - Tempted more?

[soulsisterclaire]

When I get real close to God, and my walk with Him is at it's best, it seems as if the Devil trys that much harder to get me to sin, to turn my back on God(backslide) In fact he has succeeded in doing so several times.

I have often thought that Christians are tempted much more than say those that are not saved. Do you think so?

Is it because Satan knows he has lost us forever and trys to make us un-useful for God's purposes? Everytime I get a stronghold on my walk with God and am trying to do His Will, here comes temptation! Have any of you ever felt like this? What do you do to overcome it? I found this verse that I think might relate to this topic.

Luke 11

24 "When an unclean(evil)spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, "I will return to my house from which I came.' 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

Any thoughts, opinions, or advice is very helpful!

Praise God! :clap:

[Blynn]

Hi soulsisterclaire:



Here are some scriptures that have helped me:


James 4:7

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you"

1Cr 10:13

"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 the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."


The devil is our enemy. I do not know what you are struggling with, but I have found James 4:7 to be very helpful. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Fight him with truth and with scripture. Do not listen to his lies. Stand on what you know is true.


God bless you
Roberta

[Christi]

Claire, this is what I think. I don't really think you are tempted more the closer you get to God. I think it just seems so, because the Holy Spirit is pricking our consciences. Whereas, when you are not walking closely with God, you sin more but don't really think about it so much as sin, or you try to excuse it to yourself, or you don't really even think at all, you just do it. I think when we are in a good place with God we are really aware of our temptations, because we are more aware of our sins. I have realized lately that I FEEL like I stumble into situations that tempt me more often---and I used to think maybe God was even testing me or something---but after thinking about it I realized that before I would have just gone ahead and committed these sins without even considering the temptation or the sin. And there aren't really MORE temptations, I just notice them more due to TRYING to be obedient.

[soulsisterclaire]

I agree with you Christi and I never really thought of it that way before, thanks for pointing it out.

So, ya'll don't think that Satan trys to tempt Christians more than non-Christians?

[Christi]

Oh yes. I do think that. I think that anytime he sees a threat---and the stronger in the Lord we are, the more of a threat to him we are---that he does start working harder on us. But then the closer we are to God, the more able we are to resist him. I really even feel that today, more than ever, he is trying to attack the church--through greed, sexual temptation, etc. He wants to discredit Christ's followers, hoping to discredit Christ. In my post earlier, I was talking about fleshly temptations, because that is the kind I struggle with the most.

[Christi]

P.S. Claire, I am reading a book now about that very thing. It's by Beth Moore and it's called "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things" It's about what Satan does to attack God's people "to exact revenge on God by wreaking havoc on His Children and to try to incapacitate the believer's God-given ability to overcome him." It makes my skin crawl to think of the way he prowls around trying to destroy our testimony. It also shows, for those already snared, how to be restored. I highly recommend it, anyway.

[soulsisterclaire]

Originally posted by Christi
P.S. Claire, I am reading a book now about that very thing. It's by Beth Moore and it's called "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things" It's about what Satan does to attack God's people "to exact revenge on God by wreaking havoc on His Children and to try to incapacitate the believer's God-given ability to overcome him." It makes my skin crawl to think of the way he prowls around trying to destroy our testimony. It also shows, for those already snared, how to be restored. I highly recommend it, anyway.

This is exactly what I was talking about! I will see if I can find that book at the library, thanks for the recommendation! :wave:

[Wildfire]

Hi soulsister; I agree with the above posters. To me, there is no greater fear than fear itself. If you <think> the devil is lurking around your door, then you will are likely to become more frightened of him.

There is great comfort in the bible.

I "resist" this kind of worrisome thinking completely; by not even making (satan/the devil/lucifer/etc) a part of my thoughts. Instead I concentrate on all of the positive aspects of Gods word, and what I can do to be a better person in his eyes. I also am thankful for the blessings that are in my life, and focus on my loved ones.

Are we tempted more when we draw close to God? No, not at all. Believe me when I say this; Hold close to your heart the love that you share with God, and there lies your confidence.

I Peter 3 says;

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
<<And who is he that will harm you>> if ye be followers of that which is good?
But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Hope this helps.
Wildfire

[soulsisterclaire]

Yes Wildfire, it does help! I tend to have a negativity problem, I needed that post of yours to remind me to work on the positive!

Thanks!

Praise God!

[Athlon4all]

I think that this is true because, if you read James 1, he's saying that we will go through trials, or be tested. For the unbeliever, their trials are God trying to get them to come to Christ, while for the believer, God is making sure we don't slip.

[ZiSunka]

The temptations do get worse, but the good news is that as you practice resisting them, the easier it gets to resist them.

Sort of like building up your muscles, the more reisistence you put up, the stronger you get and the less energy you have to use to resist.

[Mandy]

I agree with Lambslove. It makes perfect sense. One who is closer to God is much more of a threat, plain. People who are close to God are those who are making an impact for Jesus (whether it be in their household or the whole world) and satan does not like that.

[soulsisterclaire]

Originally posted by Mandy
I agree with Lambslove. It makes perfect sense. One who is closer to God is much more of a threat, plain. People who are close to God are those who are making an impact for Jesus (whether it be in their household or the whole world) and satan does not like that.

Couldn't have said it better myself! :)

[dependingonhim]

Originally posted by soulsisterclaire
So, ya'll don't think that Satan trys to tempt Christians more than non-Christians?

Satan does not have to tempt those souls that are already his.

I once heard a man tell the following story:

There were two guys playing golf and one of them said "He wished Satan would just leave him alone and quit tempting him all the time."

The other man said "I don't know what you are talking about - Satan doesn't bother me at all."

The first man responded "Then he has you right where he wants you and there is nothing to bother you about."

Food for thought!!

[LouisBooth]

Just a question..which soldier do you worry about. Is it the one mowing through your troops with a machine gun leading in the battle or the one on the backlines not doing anything at all and being complacent?

[soulsisterclaire]

Yes, this is what I mean. The devil doesn't seem to mess with those that he already has. But once a person gets right with God, here he comes...

"Get thee behind me Satan!"

That is what I always try to say.

I have even had very vivid dreams where the devil's spirit was taunting me...very scarey stuff...I was dreaming and would wake up and couldn't move...one time the curtains in my room were blowing and the window was not open. This happened years ago, right around the time I was getting baptised as an adult. I just felt as if it was satan or an evil spririt...I just knew...Like I made him real mad or something. It was creepy, but the Lord heard my cries and satan couldn't touch me. I had one of these dreams about a year ago. Anybody else have anything like this happen to them? Maybe I will start a thread on it.

But, Praise God I am His! :clap:

[Mandy]

I have had dreams that were very similar.

[futuresoldier]

It's not just about fighting the effects of Satan- you must fight Satan himself. Take joy in fighting him- like a punch-bag, except RESPECT YOUR ENEMY: Satan is a clever old devil (excuse the pun, I'm kinda bored).

[Christi]

BUT he has already been defeated, at the cross, and we need to keep that in mind. He just tries to cause what disruption he can, in the small amount of time he has left. It can be quite significant disruption, however, so we need to arm ourselves with all the power of Jesus.

[soulsisterclaire]

Originally posted by Mandy
I have had dreams that were very similar.

Think I should start a thread on it, or do you think that would be giving the devil his due/pleasing to him?

[ZiSunka]

I've had that dream, too.

I found the way to make it stop really IS to call out to God.

It's amazing how fast the dream evaporates after you do that.

[LouisBooth]

The problem comes when you don't admit its not always satan that does the tempting. Most of the time its your own selfish desires that cause you to be tempted. They are "left-overs" from your former life. Like when you get out of prison you still feel the need to ask someone to go to the bathroom because you had to do it when you where in prison.

[rkbo]

Lots of good stuff in this post, I think. Louis you have hit on what I think about this issue. Follow me on this for a minute. Jesus taught us to give and be givers. Serve others and be a servant. To unto other what you would want them to do to you. Get the picture. If we are thinking of others we are not seeking our own lusts and desires. Not that desires are bad but think of this for a sec. "The love of money is the root of all evil" As one comedian said "It's not the money......but what the money can buy us." This all boils down to one word "selfishness" if we are selfless, how can satan tempt us. Jesus shows us the biggest act of selflessnes.Look at this verse and see if I'm right.
Phil 2:4-11
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
(KJV)

Also know this
James 1:14-15
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(KJV)

We have to learn the lessons Jesus was teaching us. I know I have just begun to learn this and the temptations have dropped drasticaly.

[soulsisterclaire]

I know that I am to blame for my sins, I chose to sin. But I am not really talking about that kind of temptation here. I do believe that all sin is evil and the author of evil is Satan. So it would make sense that he is one of my tempters.

The kind of temptations I am talking about are unusual in nature. Coincidences if you may. There were times when a person was put in my path(I believe by Satan)to try to get me to fall. Sometimes this worked. Simply because I didn't suspect them. A wolf in sheeps clothing so-to-speak.

It often reminds me of the Book of Job. How Satan was allowed to attack Job and try to make him curse God. Or how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert.

Praise God I am saved! :clap:

[Christi]

Hi Claire!!!!

You brought up Job. I LOVE how God says "Have you considered my servant, Job" to Satan. He's BRAGGING on him!!! I would love to be so useful to God that he could tell Satan, "Consider my servant, Christi". Sigh, I have such a long way to go.....but that is my goal! To be blameless and upright, fear God and shun evil. I guess we can only "press on toward the goal", but maybe God has been bragging on you? :)

[soulsisterclaire]

Originally posted by Christi
Hi Claire!!!!

You brought up Job. I LOVE how God says "Have you considered my servant, Job" to Satan. He's BRAGGING on him!!! I would love to be so useful to God that he could tell Satan, "Consider my servant, Christi". Sigh, I have such a long way to go.....but that is my goal! To be blameless and upright, fear God and shun evil. I guess we can only "press on toward the goal", but maybe God has been bragging on you? :)

No, Christi, I doubt that God has been bragging on me...I am very far away from that point of righteouness...I hope people didn't think that is what I meant in my post...I just know that everytime I make headway in my relationship with God, trouble seems to come my way!

Now, you(Christi)on the other hand, are worthy of God bragging on you! :D

Praise the Lord! :bow:

[Christi]

Whatever!!!!! You obviously don't know me VERY well! lol! (At least we are humble, right?) :)

[soulsisterclaire]

Originally posted by Christi
Whatever!!!!! You obviously don't know me VERY well! lol! (At least we are humble, right?) :)

Yes, God has a way of humbling us doesn't He? ;)