Have you thought about this before? Here’s my question:
Who hired Judas to be the treasurer of the ministry? Jesus, of course. Now think, Jesus gave an opportunity for a greedy man to handle His money. Did He not know that Judas had a problem with money? Certainly.
This makes for TWO important discoveries:
- The area of gifting is the area of temptation,
- God will give you responsibility and opportunity in that area in spite of your weakness.
What is God’s intent here? Does He want to set you up to fail? Actually, He is setting you up to succeed. The only way you can break through a weakness is to face it and overcome it. To break off the iniquity you must face off with the iniquity.
God doesn't tempt us—yet the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Why? Meeting the tempter seems to be a right of passage into promotion. Did the Father want the Son to fail? Obviously not. He wanted the Son to be tested and qualified to drive the enemy out.
Maybe you and I are tempted most in the area we are called to drive out the devil? Look at the thing you struggle with now and consider if it isn't a spirit somehow associated with the territory you are called to occupy. Judas had a gift for money and therefore had to overcome a spirit of greed. A strong leader may struggle with control, a great persuader with manipulation or seduction.
Temptation reveals weaknesses and “owning” a weakness actually makes you more authentic. It makes you more generous with others who fall and the humility you experience creates a vacuum in you that draws in greater grace! God gives grace to the humble. Grace is the word that describes a current of divine energizing power from Heaven. As you draw near to Him, He gives you grace and this creates energy to overcome. Heaven creates a table for you right “in the presence of your enemies.” (Psalm 23:5) You “occupy till He comes.” (Luke 19:13) You don't run from the pressure. Heaven wants you to win. You'll never meet a temptation you do not have the ability to resist. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
And you'll never be held back from promotion because you might be tempted. In fact, your weakness and your strength are so intertwined that you will surely meet temptation as you advance. Don't let it stop you.
Thanks Lance for today’s post.
Encouraging and strengthening.
God’s blessings
KL 🇦🇺
Thank you for this encouragement, it is truly appreciated. I listened to you almost every day and stand amazed at what the Lord gives you. I was also surprised to hear the Pastor Mallot was your pastor. I knew her in the day and was in a church where a man named Elias Koteita was pastor. He was from Lebanon and Pastor Mallot was his pastor too. Not sure if you knew him but thought I would name drop. 🙂
I feel I have recently been tested in this . Warfare was extreme. Felt like I was head on with the enemy. I felt like I was in the wilderness and all these temptations were being thrown my way. financially. I truly needed some Godly counsel. Thank you for sharing this. Would love more.
Blessings to you for all you do.
As One,,
BJM