A RECIPE FOR DISASTER (2).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*A RECIPE FOR DISASTER (2).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Rev 12:9 *And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Satan will tempt you with what he knows you like best. The fruit was pleasant to Eve but had unpleasant consequences.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Satan, a deceiver, uses lies and temptations to lead people astray. He often uses subtle and personalized approaches to tempt individuals.

Satan tailors his deception to specific circumstances. He tempts people with their specific needs and desires

We must guard our love, affections, and desires, or else the devil will use them as a recipe for our downfall or disaster.

The narratives in Gen 3: 6,*"....the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit...."* tell us that whatever temptation we fall originates from a person's own internal sinful desires, not necessarily from external forces like the devil. 

Our sinful desire is the primary source of our response to temptation, ref Jam 1:14.

Satan tempted David and Samson, knowing they had weaknesses for women.

He tempted Solomon, knowing he came from a father who had many wives and even tempted him to achieve more of his father's promiscuous nature.

Even when people knew the consequences of their sinfulness, their own sinful desires often outweigh the external push of the temptation, Judg 16.

Solomon and other writers warn of the lies of Satan.

If Solomon himself followed his inspired word, he would know how important it was not to fall into situations he already knew would have consequences.

In Prov 1:17, he implied in his writing that a preknowledge of a danger would avert falling into it. He wrote, saying, *Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.*

Here Solomon tells us that if a hunter were to spread the baited net in the sight of any bird, the hunt would be useless because a bird would not fall for a trap if it sees the hunter setting it.

So how or why would people fall into a snare of the devil they knew would lead to unpleasant consequences?

Satan's recipe is to deceive them not to believe his snare when he tempts them.

A good reason is that he tempts his victims to suit their specific ego.

He tempts his victims to think they are beyond falling. Like some of us would say 'lt is too late for Satan' forgetting that such statement as important as it is may remain unguarded if we do not control our excessive affection.

Such overconfidence and self ego may make us neglect our tracks, thinking Satan would only set a trap for others, not knowing it is actually for us.

Solomon warns us that though wine may have an appeal with its attractive shades of color and bubbles moving to the surface, he condemned those who *“.....tarry long at the wine....”* (Pr 23:30) and those who have the symptoms of severe drunkenness (ref Pr 23:29,34-35) should abstain from it.

Satan tells you to take more of it until your

drunkenness makes you drink past reason, and your senses no longer rightly recognize good and evil.

Taking too much, not exercising enough, or a lack of moderation are a recipe for disaster

People who are infatuated with a desire like repeated eating and eating more than they need will sin with the blessings of the ability God has given them to eat.

Unguarded use of the eyes God has blessed you can lead to your condemnation Prov 6:25 Solomon condemned, looking at another woman *“.....to lust after her...."*

Godliness is moderation and temperance in all things (Eph 5:18; Phil 4:5; I Cor 9:24-27).

Satan tempted Eve with food, and she and her husband fell. A personalized approach to make them believe that eating the fruit was vital to their personal confidence and self dominance. He knows we love power, and he will suit his deception to make you feel you are who you are not, when you are in power.

Jesus warned about mental adultery, *“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman – hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”* (Matt 5:28).

Satan works on what He knows would give you a sense of self-sufficiency, not thinking you need God. A personalized approach of pride tailoring his deception to your specific circumstances.

*Remorse corner.*

Do not only change the way you think as a converted child of God. Also, be careful of Satans subtle and personalized way to

tailor his deception to your specific desired ambitions or positions.

*Call to Word action.*

Recipe for disaster is the temptation of Satan that leads to unguarded and excessive infatuation and affection.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Satan can not give you a recipe without unpleasant consequences. Be careful of what looks or sounds good to be true.

*Prayer.*

Lord, guide my heart. Help me to set boundaries and crucify my affection. Let not my affection to my desires lead me to sin against You in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.