10/02/2023
*Don't Give In To Satan's Temptations!*
_(Friday 10th February 2023. 1st Reading: Genesis 3:1-8, Psalm 31, and Gospel: Mark 7:31-37)_
_*“The serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.’” (Genesis 3:4-5)*_
Most often, we are tempted with what we desire, what we lack and what we think we need. In every temptation, Satan presents that which we think is lacking in us. When Jesus was hungry, Satan asked him to turn stones to bread. When you are broke, Satan will tempt you with money. Satan always tries to take advantage of our wants, tastes and expectations.
*In our first reading,* disguised as a crafty serpent, Satan came, tempted Eve and succeeded in getting her to sin. It should be noted that being tempted is not a sin. We have not sinned until we give in to the temptation.
*Take Note of the following tactics of the enemy as used in our first reading:*
*First, in every temptation, Satan seeks to make us think less of God.* Adam and Eve felt that God was keeping something precious from them. Once we begin to doubt God’s infinite love for us, we assume there is something to gain from sin.
*Another tactic that Satan uses is a distortion of the word of God through wrong interpretation.* Satan asked: “Did God say, ‘you shall not eat of any tree of the garden?” Satan tried to play this trick while tempting Jesus by quoting Bible passages. Beware of those who apply the quotations in the Bible out of context to suit their plans. There are many of them in our world today. Once we begin to use the Bible to justify our wrong deeds, we are making ourselves tools in the hands of the enemy.
*More so, the devil presents sin as something that is good, pleasant and desirable.* Satan tried to make Eve think this way. "A knowledge of both good and evil" seemed harmless to her. People usually choose wrong things because they have become convinced that those things are good, at least for themselves. Our sins do not always appear ugly to us, and the pleasant sins are the hardest to avoid. So prepare yourself for the attractive temptations that may come your way. We cannot always prevent temptation, but there is always a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Use God's Word and God's people to help you stand against it.
*Finally, the devil entices us with the object of the temptation.* Notice what Eve did: She looked, she took, she ate, and she gave. The battle is often lost at the first look if one looses self control. Temptation often begins by simply seeing something you want. Avoid the occasions of sin! You would win over temptation more often if you follow St. Paul's advice to run from those things that produce evil thoughts.
Beloved in Christ, *to resist temptation, we must:* (1) pray for strength to resist, (2) consciously avoid the occasions of sin. There is an Igbo adage that admonishes: “the meat you will not eat, do not use your teeth to divide it for others.” Run, sometimes literally, and (3) say no when confronted with what we know is wrong. No matter how strong a temptation is, Satan cannot force us to sin. James 1:12 tells of the blessings and rewards for those who don't give in when tempted.
*Today, the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Scholastica* (480-547). She was the twin sister of St. Benedict. She consecrated herself to God from her earliest years and remained and died a virgin. She never gave in to the temptations of the enemy. You and I can do the same!
*Get your Permanent Voter's Card (PVC), ensure you cast and defend your vote for credible candidates in the coming elections!*
*Let us pray:* Lord Jesus, may I never give in to temptation no matter the pressure. Grant me the grace to consciously avoid occasions of sin. Amen.
*St. Scholastica, pray for us!*
*Smile, God is in charge always! (Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Quotations: Genesis 3:1-8, Psalm 32, and Mark 7:31-37).*
Rev. Fr. Uzochukwu Ejike Obu (Prudentissima)
