February 8 I Tuesday

Leviticus 4-5

Matthew 24:29-51

“I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”   —Isaiah 14:14

Coveting did not begin with the human race. The first episode of coveting was not Eve, craving the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but Satan, the father of lies, the master of deception. Satan was also called “Lucifer,” which means “morning star.” He was the most beautiful of all angelic beings that God created.

      Ezekiel 28 describes Lucifer as the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Scripture tells us from the day he was created that he was blameless in all his ways until wickedness was found in him. His heart became corrupt and he said, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God....I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). Satan coveted God’s position of supreme authority, so God hurled him to the earth, along with a league of angels who joined in his rebellion.

      Discontentment is the disease of the devil! When Satan tempted Eve, he said, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1). In other words, “is there really a prohibition here?” The serpent told the woman, “You will not certainly die. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5). Satan planted enough doubt in Eve to make her question God, and both Adam and Eve took what did not belong to them.

      The devil’s tactic is to tell us everything is not enough. In the New Testament, 1 John 2:16 gives us three areas that are not of God, but of this world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Satan introduced Eve to all three. The fruit was good to eat (lust of the flesh), pleasing to look at (lust of the eyes) and suitable for gaining knowledge (pride of life). This seemed to offer something better than what they already had, but what it did instead was introduce sin into the world, severing the spiritual bond God shared with Adam and Eve. Sin was now inherited in human beings, and as God cannot partake in sin, He withdrew his Spirit from humankind.

      Coveting began in the heavenly realms, a spiritual disease with crushing consequences. The subtle way in which Satan tempted Adam and Eve is his work on earth. Whether we realize it or not, there is a battle for our souls, and Satan will do whatever it takes to lure us away from God. We are no match for his cunning. When faced with temptation, Christ is our strength. We call on His name and walk away in the power and righteousness of Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we live in a world filled with temptation. Keep me prepared and able to stand in Your strength against the many lures of Satan. Thank You, Lord.