Yesterday we talked about Satan’s three opening moves and how he attempts to attack our minds with three types of lusts, or temptations that take our eyes off of Jesus. For the next few days, we’re going to look at each of the devil’s schemes in more detail, starting today with the lust of the flesh. 

The lust of the flesh simply means wanting to gratify our body’s desires at the cost of morality or what’s good for our soul. It can be adultery, drugs, alcohol or food — whatever meets a physical need in a manner that competes with the role Jesus plays in our lives. Interestingly, the things that become temptations to our flesh are never bad in and of themselves. For instance, sex is good for you, in the right circumstances; it is a gift to a husband and wife in the context of marriage. Similarly, drugs are good for you if they are treating an illness. Food is needed to sustain life — it’s also a great way to socialize. The point is that good things only become bad when they have been twisted and perverted by Satan so that we believe that they are the most important thing, or when we become obsessed with them. This is when our lives begin to unravel!

Friend, one of the greatest tricks of the enemy is to get you to focus on one thing in your life so that you take your eyes off of Jesus. When all of your energy is on something else — something that will ultimately perish — you are in a vulnerable position and you are walking a slippery slope. Though you believe it will satiate you, it’s like scratching a mosquito bite; giving into the urge will only cause the wound to grow worse. I encourage you to set your mind and thoughts on things above and make God your only obsession. He is all you will ever need and I promise you, He offers you a more abundant and satisfying life than you can even imagine! Isn’t that incredible news?