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. Which 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.
WHY?
Does God 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.” You “occupy till He comes.” You don't run from the pressure. Heaven wants you to win. You'll never meet a temptation you do not have ability to resist. (read 1 Cor 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.
Lance, surely at this time, and from this time on, those of us committed to serve Christ and to advance the Kingdom, need Revelation re: our calling. I pray for all those who are passionate but unsure, that they will have patience but simultaneously a high level of expectation that God will move powerfully in and through us all, and reveal His plans. If any of us have closed our minds to certain possibilities, because demonic-influenced thoughts have condemned, discredited, demotivated and dissuaded us from moving into any area of activity for God, even though we may be convinced that it is our calling, then I thank you for your obedience on behalf of myself and countless others who are no longer bound by lies, the result being inactivity. I pray a huge blessing on you and your wife that your Spirit-inspired Revelation will continue to flow like a river, that we will all jump into and meet each other in the sea. Let the Voice of Truth shout loudly and drown out any and all negative voices. Also,may we reject complacency and wholeheartedly embrace challenge and change, becoming champions for Christ in the process. May we rejoice in an open Heaven and dance in the rain and rejoice with those being saved and yet to be saved. Amen
Who hired Judas? https://t.co/xPNm7jZ8Iw via @creativejuiz
Wow I love this.Thank you Lance. And God bless you, the family, and the businesses you serve and run.
This is so timely for me. Thank you for hearing so clearly.
So very true and encouraging Lance. We have always been tempted and blessed in the same area which proves that we are there because The Lord wants to teach us to overcome and obtain the total victory.. Hallelujah!! Thank you!!!
Lance,
Thank you for that word today. It is further confirmation on things that I have been hearing from the Lord. Also, it gave me some new insights as well.
RT @lancewallnau: Would you make Judas your treasurer? https://t.co/VMwJVjS6zb
Every time you speak, Lance, I grow. Thank you for all you do for the Body of Jesus.
Awesome, Lance! Yes, I loved this. We need more and more “tidbits” like this as we advance His Kingdom, and stand AS ONE!
I would say that the best way to beat temptation is to flee it and pursue righteousness. God tells us (many of Paul’s letters contain it) to avoid and flee temptation and to turn towards righteousness. E.g., battling with a gambling problem? Take the circuitous route around the casino and serve in your church. Have a problem with curbing profanity and curse words? Take active note of your speech, avoid scenarios that would incite such language (sometimes it’s the crowd you hang around, or a video game you play) and memorize Scripture. 1 Tim 6:9-11, 2 Tim 2:20-22, Psalm 119:9-11. Put on God’s armor and realize that you won’t be able to do this on your own strength. Take an intensive study of Ephesians 6 and have maybe a mentor or your pastor line out specifically what each item is (sword, shield, girdle, helmet, etc). Train yourself to actively think of such things in times when you cannot outright avoid temptation (1 Tim 4:7-11).