My favorite cartoon character is Garfield. Perhaps it’s because I can personally identify with some of the struggles he faces with certain attitudes. On more than one occasion, Garfield is seen faced with temptation. An angelic Garfield-like character sits on one shoulder while whispering in his ear, while a devilish Garfield-like character sits on the opposite shoulder, whispering in his other ear.
The reader is left with the obvious understanding that a spiritual battle is taking place in Garfield’s heart and mind.
While the cartoon may be humorous, the fact that we are faced with spiritual warfare is not! Our enemy is not a cute, devilish cartoon character. He is real. The apostle Peter describes him as one who “… walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Some years ago, I spoke with a friend whom many had described as “being so heavenly minded that he was of no earthly good.” I shared with him some of my struggles against temptation. Somewhat surprised at my confession, he replied, “Jerry, when you get as close to the Lord as I am, Satan doesn’t bother you anymore.” I immediately replied, “John, if you have not had to do battle with the devil even once today, you had better watch out. You may be walking in step with him.”
In his letter to the believers at Corinth, the apostle Paul wrote: “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10: 12)
The apostle Paul made such an admonishment because there were those in the church who thought they were “Super Saints,” being so close to God that they were above temptation. Paul reminded them that temptation is a common malady among men. No one is above it, for we are all tempted to do evil. Though there may be many temptations that come our way, we can have victory over them by trusting in Christ, not in the strength of our own flesh.
Paul wrote: “There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer for you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.” (1 Corinthians 10: 13)
Paul taught us that the way of escape is Jesus Christ. He is to us a faithful high priest who understands our feelings, and was in all points tempted like we are, yet he remained without sin. Having suffered being tempted, our Lord is able to comfort us in all our temptations. He knows and understands our feelings. He knows how great the struggle is when temptation fights against the spirit. Therefore, he is moved with compassion, comforting us, and offering the strength to overcome temptation.
May you be victorious in all your struggles against temptation, and may you know that Christ is your source of strength.
Jerry L. Dunn is pastor of Oak Street Baptist Church, Kingman
