How Can Mankind Withstand Satan's Temptations?

Satan is a malignant spirit, by creation an angel of light and an immediate attendant upon God's throne, but by sin become an apostate from his first state and a rebel against God's crown and dignity. Satan is enraged against God and His glory, and envious of man and his happiness. Satan is hungry and eager for the souls of mankind today. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9). What can an individual while upon this earth do to withstand the strategies and temptations of Satan?

Man must maintain confidence in God’s goodness and generosity toward mankind. God has provided every good and perfect gift that man enjoys in this earthly life. “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation” (James 1:17). God the Father also sent his only Son to be a perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God has done everything possible to demonstrate his love and concern for mankind. Adam and Eve overlooked the evidence of God’s love and deep concern for the first pair and adopted Satan’s distorted view of God’s character and actions. Mankind today needs to be careful not to make the same mistake.

Man must have knowledge of God’s word and let it be his daily guide. The Bible is given by God to mankind in order to be an absolute standard of right and wrong. The Bible is given by God to govern all walks of man’s life upon this earth. Man must trust that God’s commands are motivated by love and truly define what is best for man. Each individual should heed the warnings provided by God in his divine word. Satan’s chief deception is to cause men not to fear God’s warnings.

Man must remember that we need not experience sin to understand its destructive properties.

What were the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin:

1) Guilt and Shame – Adam and Eve hid themselves from God

2) Broken Relationships – Adam and Eve’s relationship with God was destroyed

3) Spiritual Death – Adam and Eve were driven from the garden and the presence of God

4) Physical Suffering – Eve received pain in childbirth and Adam had to work to provide food

5) Physical Death – Adam and Eve both died physically.

Adam and Eve did evil in taking and eating the forbidden fruit and immediately began to experience the evil consequence of their choice. Mankind must reject every temptation to act independently of God’s will.

Man must remember that God is Lord and that we are merely his creation. Almighty God is so bountiful and good to mankind and has provided everything necessary for man’s happiness and comfort both in the physical and spiritual realm.