Monthly Archives: August 2023

DEALING WITH TEMPTATION

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This article shares God’s method to handle temptation and help us through our troubles in life. It also tells us that some these trials – but not all- come from God to show us a better way and leads us to obedience.

DEALING WITH TEMPTATION

Temptation, by its very nature, feels wrong. God’s moral law is written in the heart of every human being (Romans 1:20), and when a sinful temptation is introduced, our consciences immediately sense danger. However, the temptation itself is not the sin. Jesus was tempted (Mark 1:13; Luke 4:1-13), but He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). Sin occurs when we mishandle temptation.

There are two avenues by which we are tempted: Satan and our own sinful flesh. Acts 5 gives an example of someone tempted by Satan. Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, wanting to appear more spiritual than they really were, lied to the apostles and pretended they were giving as an offering the full price of some property they had sold. Peter confronted them: “How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”(verse 3). In this instance, Peter knew that the temptation to lie had come from Satan. Ananias and his wife both gave in to that temptation (verses 7-10). The betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot is also attributed to Satan’s influence (Luke 22:3; John 13:2).

Ultimately, since Satan is the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the father of lies (John 8:44), all evil originates with him. However, our own selfish nature is an ally of Satan’s. We need no prompting from Satan to entertain sinful ideas. James 1:13-14 says, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

Even though we may desire to do good, we are all tempted. No one is above it, even someone like the apostle Paul. He shared his own struggle of flesh against spirit when he wrote in Romans 7:22-23, “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.”

Temptation is not of itself sinful. It becomes sin when we allow the temptation to become action, even in our minds. Lust, for example, is sin even though it may never be acted upon (Matthew 5:28). Covetousness, pride, greed, and envy are all sins of the heart; even though they may not be apparent to anyone else, they are still sin (Romans 1:29; Mark 7:21-22). When we give in to the temptation to entertain such thoughts, they take root in our hearts and defile us (Matthew 15:18–19). When we yield to temptation, we replace the fruit of the Spirit with the fruit of the flesh (Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:19-23). And, many times, what was first entertained as a thought becomes action (see James 1:15).

The best defense against giving in to temptation is to flee at the first suggestion. Joseph is a great example of someone who did not allow temptation to become sin (Genesis 39:6–12). Although tempted to sin sexually, he did not give the temptation time to take root. He used the legs God gave him and physically fled. Rather than stay in a potentially dangerous situation and try to talk, reason, justify, explain, or otherwise weaken his resolve, Joseph took off. The temptation was not sin for him because he dealt with it in a God-honoring way. It could easily have become sin if Joseph had stayed around and tried to overcome the temptation in his own strength.

Romans 13:13-14 (ESV) gives us a guideline for avoiding situations that can lead to temptation. “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” If we determine to “make no provision for the flesh,” we will keep ourselves out of situations that may prove too tempting. When we put ourselves in situations where we know we will be tempted, we are asking for trouble. God promises to provide a “way of escape” when we are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13), but often that way is to avoid the situation altogether. “Flee the evil desires of youth” (2 Timothy 2:22). Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:4), but we have a responsibility to pay attention to the direction God is leading us and avoid temptation whenever we can.

12 Ways to Overcome Temptation – From The Bible

1. Avoid and/or flee from it. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.

“She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” -Gen 39:12

2. Offer your mind and thoughts to God. He knows better than we do what is good.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” -Phil 4:8

3. Work on overcoming your selfishness. True Love doesn’t know selfishness. Because, if you love Jesus you don’t belong to yourself

“and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” -1 Cor 3:23

4. Expect and be ready for temptation. We need to be prepared for Spiritual battle.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” -Eph 6:13

5. Remind yourself of the consequences of sin.

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” -Gal5:19-21

6. Memorize God’s Word. Filling our minds with the thoughts of God and having them readily available to us is very wise.

“He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” -Luke 11:28

7. Cultivate a sense of God’s presence in prayer. But don’t just listen – obey.

“Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then tell us whatever the LORD our God tells you. We will listen and obey.” -Deut 5:27

8. Frequent confession heals us and we start over spiritually healthy.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” -James 5:16

9. Accountability helps us avoid sin. When we are accountable to both man and God it helps us overcome temptation.

“Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” -Genesis 4:9

10. Understand who your true enemy is and his tactics.

“Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” -Eph 6:12-13

11. Think of your heavenly reward and not just of this life.

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12

12. Receive the Eucharist regularly. Those who do have Jesus abide in them and they abide in Jesus.

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.” -John 6:56-57

Bible Verses About Temptation – Scriptures on How To Resist & Overcome Temptation

1. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – What Does The Bible Say About Resisting Temptation?

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

One of the most important things to remember is that temptation is common to mankind.

It’s not a question of if you will be tempted, just a question of when.

Feeling tempted does not make you a bad person or a weak Christian – it just makes you human.

But the second half of this verse is my favorite – “But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

In the midst of our temptation, we often feel alone, like nobody else could understand the struggle we are dealing with. That’s a lie from the enemy.

God is with us every second of our temptation and knows how hard we are fighting. And, He is a God of grace, so He provides a way out.

Our job is not to avoid all temptation, but instead to remember to look for the way out that God is providing.

This was the Bible verse that was at the core of us creating the 3 Ps to fight food cravings. I have thought, written, memorized, spoken, and sung this verse thousands of times when I was tempted to turn to food to fix a problem that only God could fix.

2. Matthew 6:13 – Lead Us Not Into Temptation Verse

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:13

Even though 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that we will experience temptation, it’s still a worthy prayer to ask God not to lead us into temptation.

This is even in a section of Scripture where Jesus was telling us exactly how to pray, so you know it’s important enough to ask!

3. Matthew 26:41 – Watch And Pray Verse For Protection

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41

This verse is when Jesus is in the garden of Gethsemane with the disciples. He knows He is about to be crucified and He asked them to be on the lookout for Him to give him time to pray.

When He came back after just an hour, the disciples were asleep and He spoke this verse to Peter.

Jesus understands our sinful nature so well. He knows that most of the time, our intentions are good. He also knows that we are not strong enough to fight temptation on our own.

Our responsibility is to be watchful and ask God for His strength to fight temptation because we can’t do it without Him.

4. James 1:13-15 – What Does God Say About Temptation?

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15

The enemy is cunning and creative. He doesn’t tend to go straight for obviously sinful things to lure us in.

He starts by teasing us with little desires that seem harmless at the time. Then he continues to grow that desire slowly, almost imperceptibly, until we are all-out sinning, driving a huge wedge in between our relationship with God and others.

As I mentioned, a major sin of mine was food. It started off with “no big deal” things like eating a few extra bites. Before I knew it, I “needed” food so badly that I was waiting until my family was asleep, sneaking into our pantry, stealing food that belonged to everybody, and hiding in my bedroom in the middle of the night eating boxes of Little Debbies and fruit snacks (and then sneaking around again to hide all of the evidence).

My food problem became a character problem.

And that’s how sin so often works.

Be on guard and watch those “no big deal” desires carefully.

5. Luke 4:2 – How Did Jesus Overcome Temptation?

Where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Luke 4:2

This Bible verse is talking about when Jesus was in the desert for 40 days of temptation with the devil.

It’s a story I’ve heard since I was a child but when I take the time to actually envision the 40 straight days of temptation Jesus endured, having to battle every human need of his screaming out for attention each day, I am so thankful.

I’m so thankful God sent His Son here to not just know about the devil’s schemes but to experience every temptation that we would be faced.

It’s comforting to know that He understands. He went through it all. It makes me feel not so alone in those tough moments and it gives me hope.

Because He has gone through it Himself, His help is personal and relatable, not distant and disconnected.

6. Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus Has Been Tempted In Every Way

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 4:15

This is the perfect follow-up for Jesus’ 40 days in the desert.

“…we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.”

He is proof that God will show us a way out.

He is living out the promises of Scripture that we are not alone and that we can fight temptation when we lean into God’s strength.

7. Galatians 6:1 – Watch Your Own Temptation When Helping Others

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Galatians 6:1

We live in a culture that is very accepting of sin. In fact, we are told that if we do not accept a wide variety of sins, we are closed-minded and unloving.

But, really, the opposite is true.

This verse is not demanding that we condemn each other, beating them down or berating them for their sin.

On the contrary, it is encouraging us to restore that person gently. It’s okay to call a sin a sin. Ignoring the severity of a situation doesn’t do anyone any favors. But gentleness and restoration are key in the process.

And this is another important reminder to be watchful. When we get close to another person’s sin, it’s possible to be lured in ourselves.

The temptation to minimize, rationalize, and point the finger of blame at someone or something else when it comes to sin is always there.

Keep your eyes wide open and fight hard against it!

8. Galatians 5:16-17 – Walk By The Spirit

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Galatians 5:16-17

Do you know those cartoons where the character has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other?

I feel that so often – that battle in my soul.

Both characters have a voice in my head but they are in conflict with each other.

“You are not to do whatever you want.”

Those words really stick with me. In our society, doing what we want when we want has become a “human right,” so denying ourselves our momentary desires has become something labeled as cruel.

But God has a bigger plan for us than those momentary desires. He has a bigger purpose than us just simply pursuing what feels good.

And that plan involves us telling that alluring devil’s voice to hush and intentionally choosing to walk in the Spirit in those moments of temptation.

9. James 4:7 – Bible Verse About The Devil Tempting You

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

This verse in James goes right along with the last Scripture from Galatians.

When we resist the devil, he will flee.

We are children of God. It was not a one-time choice to follow Christ and surrender ourselves to our Savior.

It is a choice we make again and again, every single day, every time temptation creeps in.

10. Hebrews 2:14-15 – The Power To Overcome Temptation

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Hebrews 2:14-15

This is where the best news comes in. It’s great that we have Someone who can understand what we are going through, but the best part is that He is also our Savior who cut off the power of the devil in our lives.

It’s because of Jesus that we are free to choose what’s right in the face of temptation and be able to overcome it.

This isn’t a matter of willpower or personal strength. It’s a matter of Who you serve and we have a God who can take away the fear the devil uses when he tempts us (fear of not having enough, fear of not being enough, etc).

11. 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Resist Temptation Bible Verse

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5:8-9

This is one of my favorite verses on temptation because it creates such a powerful visual that sticks with me.

You respond much differently to temptation when you look at it for what it is – a prowling lion waiting to devour you – instead of what it feels like in the moment (something that will make you feel good).

Most of us would fight for our lives without hesitation but in those moments of “little” temptations, it doesn’t feel like it’s a worthy fight.

Every temptation is a worthy fight, my friends.

Resist and stand firm in your faith.

12. Ephesians 6:12 – Temptation Is A Spiritual Battle

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12

This is the other part of temptation that is tricky. As much as I love the visual of the prowling lion, I’m not fighting an animal for my physical safety.

I’m fighting against evil in this dark world for my soul.

Temptation often comes in the form of physical things – tempting food, a charming man, an irresistible TV show that we can’t miss…but our struggle is not against those things. That’s just the surface level.

Our struggle with temptation is our fight against our selfishness.

13. James 4:17 – A Different Kind Of Temptation – Avoidance

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

James 4:17

We often think temptation has to look overtly sinful, like the 7 deadly sins.

But that struggle against our selfishness seeps into every decision we make throughout our days.

I can’t even count the number of times I knew I should have chosen differently. I saw an opportunity to love or to serve and I missed it. I didn’t act when I know I could have.

It’s easy not to feel guilty about those because it sure doesn’t feel like sinning when you’re not actively pursuing something sinful.

But that’s the sneaky part of sin! You can sin by missing those opportunities to do good, too.

Another good reason to be on guard and watchful, making the most of every opportunity.

14. James 1:12 – When Temptation Comes My Way…

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

And, remember, this is such a worthy fight.

Every temptation you fight, no matter how small, was a worthy battle.

There is no such thing as a “no big deal” temptation when you are dealing with matters of your heart and soul.

Don’t give up fighting, even when it feels like you fight the same battle 100 times a day (I use these Bible verses on endurance to help when I feel like giving up).

Persevere and the Lord has promised you the most beautiful of rewards.

15. Psalm 37:4 – Delight In The Lord

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

This verse is one of my favorites because it hits temptation at its core – your heart.

When we are taking delight in the Lord, our heart desires good things and our walk with Christ overflows with joy.

When we take delight in ourselves, our heart craves things that destroy us piece by piece and we end up feeling bitter that God is withholding things we love from us.

I don’t know about you, but I want to choose a life overflowing with joy, not bitterness and jealousy.

16. 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee Temptation

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22

This verse encourages us to, not only run away from those tempting desires we have but to pursue good.

This isn’t about just sitting put and saying no to things all day every day.

It’s about running away from those harmful desires and running into the arms of Christ.

Pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace are some of the best ways to fight temptation.

17. Romans 12:21 – Overcome Evil With Good

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

Which is the same thing this verse emphasizes.

Overcome evil with good.

Your good, godly choices make a difference. It’s one of the best ways to fight this battle.

18. 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love The World

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17

This verse describes such a clear differentiation – you either love the world or you love the Father.

Continue to challenge your choices, your motivations, and your heart to make sure you continue to stay on God’s path.

19. Ephesians 6:10-17 – Put On The Armor Of God To Fight Temptation

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17

I’ve mentioned the “battle” and “fighting” all throughout this post, but these verses lay out the best way to prepare yourself for this battle.

JESUS OPENED MY EYES TO THE TRUTH

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Click this picture to watch the video or go below to read the article= or do both.

This article gives you actual proof, instructions, and examples how Jesus can open your eyes to the life that is best and provides joy. Also to share the real way to live forever with Him.

     JESUS OPENED MY EYES TO THE TRUTH

Perhaps you have heard the expression: “The hardest part about being deceived is that you don’t know you’re being deceived.” Something similar could be said about our “sight”, our ability to see the truth. We can convince ourselves that we see life as it really is when, we  are blind. It is only when we encounter Christ that our perspective can change and we gain a proper understanding of the truth and life. When we come in touch and meditate on Jesus do we see the truth- and see it clearly. Jesus led me to increasingly see who He is. Ask God to open our spiritual eyes through our study of the Bible- anytime we study it and always seek to study it daily.

                                        Read John 9:1-7

9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

       As Jesus passed by: The previous chapter ending as Jesus passed by those who wanted to stone Him, considering Jesus guilty of blasphemy. John continues the account, noting now Jesus passed by a man who was blind from birth.

       The sense of the flow of the text is that Jesus was not shaken or disturbed by the almost deadly confrontation with the religious leaders that just happened. “We find Him calm and self-possessed, acting with a profound disregard of His enemies and their hatred.” Jesus was often reviled, but never ruffled. “One of the things worthy to be noticed in our Lord’s character is his wonderful quiet of spirit, especially his marvelous calmness in the presence of those who misjudged, and insulted, and slandered him.” 

       “The blind man was sitting begging (John 9:8), possibly proclaiming the fact of his having been so born; for otherwise the disciples could hardly have asked the following question.” Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? The disciples regarded this man as an unsolved riddle. They showed no interest in helping the man, but in discussing the cause for his condition.

       Jesus will soon show a different way. He won’t dwell on the theological puzzle, but on actually helping the man. “It is ours, not to speculate, but to perform acts of mercy and love, according to the tenor of the gospel. Let us then be less inquisitive and more practical, less for cracking doctrinal nuts, and more for bringing forth the bread of life to the starving multitudes.”  We often suspect that where there is a more than ordinary sufferer, there is a more than ordinary sinner. The disciples believed this so much so that they wondered if this man had actually sinned before he was born, causing his blind condition. “In their thinking about divine retribution they had not advanced far beyond the position of Job’s friends.”

       “It was widely held that suffering, and especially such a disaster as blindness, was due to sin. The general principle was laid down by Rabbi Ammi: ‘There is no death without sin, and there is no suffering without iniquity.’”  Dods suggested five possible reasons behind their question.

     Some of the Jews of that time believed in the pre-existence of souls, and the possibility that those pre-existent souls could sin.

     Some of the Jews at that time believed in some kind of reincarnation, and perhaps the man sinned in a previous existence.

     Some of the Jews at that time believed that a baby might sin in the womb.

     Others thought the punishment was for a sin the man would later commit.

     While many were so bewildered that they threw out a wild possibility without thinking it through.

        Jesus responds to the question, without answering it, as He often does.

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” First, Jesus said that the man’s blindness – essentially a birth defect – was not caused by some specific sin on the part of the man or his parents.

Birth defects and other such tragedies are sometimes due to sinful behavior of the parents. Yet far more often – and in the case Jesus spoke of here – it is due simply to sin and our fallen condition in general, not due to any specific sin. The sin of Adam set the principle of death and its associated destruction in the world and we have had to deal with it ever since.

         Speaking to this man’s situation, Jesus told them that even his blindness was in the plan of God so that the works of God should be revealed in him. Think of all the times the little blind boy asked his mother, “Why am I blind?” Perhaps she never felt she had a good answer. Jesus explained, it is because God wants to work in and through even this. Jesus pointed the question away from why and on to the idea, what can God do in this?

       In this man’s case the specific work of God would soon be revealed: to heal him of his blindness. God may reveal His works in other lives other ways, such as joy and endurance in the midst of the difficulty. “In the economy of God’s Providence, his suffering had its place and aim, and this was to bring out the works of God in his being healed by the Redeemer.” Evil furthers the work of God in the world. It is in conquering and abolishing evil that He is manifested. The question for us is not where suffering has come from, but what are we to do with it.

       This does not mean that God deliberately caused the child to be born blind in order that, after many years, his glory should be displayed in the removal of the blindness; to think so would again be aspersion on the character of God. It does mean that God overruled the disaster of the child’s blindness so that, when the child grew to manhood, he might, by the recovering of his sight, see the glory of God in the face of Christ, and others, seeing the work of God, might turn to the true Light of the World.”           “We must suppose that every sufferer will in the long run be made aware of his share in promoting that advance; though to-day he suffer blindly, little conscious of his privilege.” man as a This man’s problem was theology and Jesus saw him as an opportunity to work the works of God. Jesus sensed an urgency to do this while it was still day – the time of His earthly ministry.

       I must work is a marvelous statement of Jesus. The Worker is “a well-earned title to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the worker, the chief worker, and the example to all workers.” He worked under the limitations of mortality and recognized in the brevity of life another call to eager and continuous service. “Whenever you see a man in sorrow and trouble, the way to look at it is, not to blame him and inquire how he came there, but to say, ‘Here is an opening for God’s almighty love. Here is an occasion for the display of the grace and goodness of the Lord.’” 

      The night was coming when no one can work: Jesus understood that opportunities for service and doing good don’t last forever. Jesus knew that healing this man on the Sabbath would bring greater opposition from the religious leaders who already wanted to silence and kill Him. Yet His compassion for the man drove Him to do it anyway. This should remind us that “Our Lord as a man here on earth had a day. It was only a day-a short period, and not very long; he could not make it longer, for it was settled by the great Lord.” 

       So He took advantage of the time and spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva: Jesus used what was undoubtedly one of His more unusual methods leading to a miracle. We can suppose that Jesus wanted to emphasize at least two things. Just as God used the dust of the ground and clay to do a work of creation in Genesis, so Jesus did a work of creation with dust and clay for this man. Jesus found it important to change His methods of healing so one could never make a formula of the methods. The power was in God, not in a method. This is an extremely important observation.

        “The emphasis of John seems to be on compassion rather than creation. The touch of a friendly hand would be reassuring. The weight of the clay would serve as an indicator to the blind man that something had been done to him, and it would be an inducement to obey Jesus’ command.”  “In His ministry to the souls of men Jesus adopted no stereotyped approach. He dealt with each man as his particular need required.”

       Applying medicine upon the eyes – was not so strange in the ancient world.  “Spittle, and especially the spittle of some distinguished persons, was believed to possess certain curative qualities.” (Barclay) Mark recorded two other healings that Jesus performed with the use of His saliva (Mark 7:33 and 8:23). Jesus then said to the man- Go, wash in the pool of Siloam: In this miracle, Jesus took all the initiative. Jesus came to the blind man; the blind man did not come to Him. Even so, He expected the blind man to respond with faith-filled action. The healing would not happen unless the man responded with those faith-filled, obedient actions. Not many people would appreciate having mud made with spit rubbed in their eyes. Some would look at how Jesus did this miracle and object, saying that it was offensive, inadequate, or even harmful to rub mud made with spit in a man’s eyes.

       In the same way, some feel that the gospel is offensive. It is true that it offends man’s pride and human wisdom, but it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21) In the same way, some feel that the gospel is inadequate. But have all the psychiatric and political and social programs in the world has done more good that the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ? SADLY, MANY BELIEVE THAT TO BE TRUE. In the same way, some feel that the gospel is harmful, that the free offer of grace in Jesus will cause people to sin that grace may abound. But the gospel changes our life for the good and the pure, not unto wickedness.

       The water for the pool of Siloam came through king Hezekiah’s tunnel, a remarkable engineering feat built in Old Testament times about 700+ years before, that the king was called Siloam, which, it was said, meant sent, because the water in it had been sent through the conduit into the city to protect that cities water supply. It was from the Siloam stream that was drawn the water which was poured over the great altar at the Feast of Tabernacles just past, which pouring out was regarded by the Rabbis (and is still) as typical of the pouring out of The Spirit in the ‘latter days’.”

       Which is translated, Sent: “Again and again John refers to Jesus as having been ‘sent’ by the Father. So now blindness is removed with reference to and with the aid of the ‘sent’.”  To do what Jesus told the blind man to do took faith, even when Jesus did not even promise the blind man sight in the doing of this. It was surely implied; but the man acted on faith even in the implied promise of Jesus. Still as a blind man he had to find his way down to the pool of Siloam and down its steps to the pool itself. He likely could think of a dozen reasons why this was a fool’s errand, but he went and washed in faith and obedience, because Jesus told him to (and because there was mud in his eyes).

       This is the first time in the Biblical record a person born blind was healed of their blindness. From Genesis to John, no prophet, priest, or apostle ever gave sight to eyes born blind. Since healing blind eyes is the work of the Lord, Yahweh, Jehovah, it shows that Jesus is God: The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. (Psalm 146:8) Has He opened your eyes? 

       Opening the eyes of the blind was prophesied to be a work of the Messiah: The eyes of the blind shall be opened. (Isaiah 35:5) Came back seeing: “The word rendered received sight is literally, recovered sight. Sight being natural to men, the depravation of it is regarded as a loss, and the reception of it, though never enjoyed before, as a recovery.” As the impotent man of chapter 5, cured after his thirty-eight years of sickness, may be viewed as a type of the Jews who are yet to be healed: so may this man of chapter 9, blind from birth, be viewed as a type of the Gentiles whose healing was about to begin and who were about to believe into Jesus as Him who was ‘the Sent’ from God.”

                         Read John 9:32-33

32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

       The man speaking these words, so far as we know, is the first person in all of human history to be cured of lifelong blindness. Jesus’ miracle not only showed His godly power (John 12:37–38), it also fulfilled prophecies about the Messiah (Isaiah 29:18; 35:5; 42:7). In Scripture, concepts such as light and darkness, or sight versus blindness, were used to represent spiritual matters. In prior verses, the recently-healed man has pointed out that the miraculous healing Jesus performed on him ought to be evidence that Jesus is from God (John 9:30–31).

       Further, Jesus’ miracle is unique. Not only has Jesus done something supernatural, He has done something no other prophet or priest in Israel’s history had ever done. Earlier, the scribes and Pharisees interrogating this man rejected Jesus on the grounds that they didn’t know where He’d come from. This response, from the one who’d been healed, points out that such excuses are just that: excuses to be prejudiced, not valid answers. The “bottom line” of the formerly-blind man’s argument comes in the next verse, in simple and common-sense terms.

       When Jesus healed a man born blind, His religious critics responded in a predictable way. Jesus had already challenged them for willful ignorance (John 7:17), and for “refusing” to follow their own Scriptures in order to believe in Him (John 5:39–40). Here, these men have twice interrogated the healed man (John 9:13, 24), looking for any reason to dismiss Jesus’ work. The formerly-blind beggar, for his part, responded with bravery and remarkably clear thinking. His overall point, delivered with heavy sarcasm, has been that Jesus’ miracles themselves ought to be evidence enough that He’s been sent by God.

       Here, the healed man makes this statement in clear and direct terms. This is almost identical to the conclusion Nicodemus brought to Jesus earlier in the gospel of John (John 3:1–2). This verse is the summary of the man’s response to the insults of the scribes and Pharisees, who tried to reject Jesus as a “sinner” instead of accepting His miracles. At this point, the religious leaders of Jerusalem have been thoroughly embarrassed. They have failed to debunk Jesus’ miracle. They responded in angry insults to one of their witnesses. And they’ve been “taught” some common-sense spiritual truth by a man they consider beneath them.
                              Read John 9:35-38

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

       The man Jesus healed of lifelong blindness has been excommunicated by the scribes and Pharisees (John 9:22, 34). Beyond his support for Jesus (John 9:25), this man also embarrassed local religious leaders by exposing their hypocrisy. Though he knew little about the man who healed him, this formerly-blind beggar knew more than enough to recognize a messenger of God (John 9:30–31). His challenge to the religious leaders earned him their insults, and their hatred (John 9:28).
       Prior to this moment, this man has not actually “seen” Jesus. His blindness was healed when he obeyed Jesus’ command to wash off his eyes (John 9:6–7), so Jesus was not there when the beggar gained eyesight. Now, Jesus finds the man after his run-in with the scribes and Pharisees. As He often does, Jesus challenges the man by asking him to explain his own beliefs. This question is important for several reasons. The term “Son of Man” is one that Jewish people associated closely with the Messiah. To this point, the once-blind man has not said he thinks Jesus is the Messiah—only that he believes Jesus has been sent by God (John 9:11).
       As the following verses show, this once-blind man is more than willing to follow what he has learned from his experiences; he only needs to be told how (Matthew 7:7).

Earlier, Jesus healed a man who had been born blind, but was not there when the man completed Jesus’ instructions (John 9:6–7). All the newly-healed man knows is that someone—sent from God—has given him the sight he’d never had (John 9:1–2, 11). After being insulted and abused by local religious leaders, the man is found again by Jesus. In the prior verse, Jesus asked this formerly-blind man if he believed in the Son of Man. This is a phrase heavily tied to the Jewish concept of the Messiah. The now-seeing beggar has admitted that he knows very little about Jesus (John 9:25), but he certainly believes that Jesus is operating on divine power (John 9:30–31).
       Here, the man responds to Jesus’ question with an admission of his own ignorance. This statement is similar to the cry of the father of a demon-possessed boy in Mark 9:24: “I believe; help my unbelief!” Here, the healed man wants to follow the truth, but simply does not know how. This is a strong contrast to the hard-headed scribes and Pharisees (John 5:39–40), who know more than enough about the Scriptures, but “refuse” to follow them by accepting Christ. As promised (Matthew 7:7), Jesus will respond to sincere seeking, and give this man the wisdom he needs.

       Jesus is speaking to the man He’d healed of lifelong blindness earlier in this passage (John 9:1–7). At that time, Jesus had sent the still-blind man off to wash his eyes, resulting in sight. This conversation is the first time the man has actually “seen” the person who granted him vision. Jesus’ question, posed in verse 35, was a chance for the beggar to explain his own faith. Jesus asked the man if he believed in the “Son of Man,” a phrase heavily tied to the Jewish concept of the Messiah. In response, the man admitted his own ignorance, and his willingness, to believe. This is a strong contrast to the scribes and Pharisees who have more than enough information (John 5:39–40), but who simply did not want to understand (John 7:17).
       Since the formerly-blind man does not know who the “Son of Man”—the Messiah—actually is, Jesus tells him. It’s Jesus Himself, the one standing right there speaking with the now-seeing man. Once again, the man’s response differs drastically from that of Jesus’ religious critics. Following his own advice (John 9:27), the man will immediately confess his faith in the Promised One.

       This moment is similar to how Thomas will respond to his encounter with a resurrected Jesus later in this gospel (John 20:24–29). Prior to this moment, all the once-blind man knew is that he had been healed by “a prophet” from God (John 9:6–7, 11). When that healer—Jesus—found the man, he admitted that he did not know who the Son of Man was, but wanted to know so he could respond in faith. Hearing that this Messiah was Jesus, the man immediately responded with worship.
        The religious leaders of Jerusalem respond to Jesus in exactly the opposite way. This man accepts the evidence he has, rather than looking for excuses about what he does not know (John 9:25). He seeks to follow God faithfully, but admits his own ignorance (John 9:36). The scribes and Pharisees don’t want to understand the truth (John 7:17), and they reject all the knowledge they already have (John 5:39–40).
       This moment is also important when discussing Jesus’ claims to be God. In other portions of Scripture, worship of any being other than God is forbidden (Exodus 20:3–4). When someone mistakenly worships other beings, such as angels, those beings respond by refusing that worship (Revelation 19:9–10). As with Thomas, Jesus accepts the worship of this newly-seeing man. By implication, Jesus is agreeing that He can be worshipped, which from a Jewish perspective means He is claiming to be identical to God.

THIRD BAPTISM – NEW TESTAMENT

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To watch the video click the picture or to read the article drop below the picture. They both clearly give the New Testament Scripture and truth that there is truly a third baptism. If you want to know the biggest Scripture that shows this from Jesus Himself- watch or read!

       Is there anything about a third baptism in the New Testament? I have talked with a couple of us in the church that either don’t believe in it or don’t know what it is. One could fill a library with the books that have been written about the first two baptisms. In the life of Jesus, our Perfect Example, we find Him being baptized with water by John the Baptist. In quick succession, the Holy Spirit “descend[ed] like a dove, and light[ed] upon him.” It is easy to see two baptisms here; one with water, and the other with the Holy Ghost.

         This third baptism is largely ignored today. In fact, it has in some cases been replaced with a baptism that is just the opposite of suffering. By this I mean what may well be called a “baptism of blessings.” This so-called “Prosperity Gospel” is what the Apostle Paul called “another gospel” in 2 Corinthians 11:4 and Galatians 1:16. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul speaks of “another spirit” and “another Jesus.” So if someone comes preaching a Jesus that does not live and act like the Jesus in the four Gospels, then we need to beware. In connection with the theme of this article, we can easily deduce that whoever does not preach that the disciples of Jesus should follow their Master into His baptism of suffering, it is “another Jesus.” The Jesus that Paul preached told His disciples, “he that taketh not his cross, and followed after me, is not worthy of me.” Mt 10:38

       But further on in the Gospel story, we see Jesus commenting about a baptism that He had not yet accomplished: “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” Lu. 12:50

      LETS LOOK AT THE THREE BAPTISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

First Baptism: The Holy Spirit baptizes us IN Jesus.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:13 – For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
  • Galatians 3:26-27 – You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
  • John 20:23 – As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
  • Luke 24:45-49 – Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Second Baptism: The disciples baptize us in water.

  • Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
  • Romans 6:3–4 – Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
  • Matthew 28:19 – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Third Baptism: Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit.

  • Matthew 3:11 – … He will baptize you WITH the Holy Spirit and fire.
  • Mark 1:8 – … he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
  • Luke 3:16 – … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
  • John 1:33 – … he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

ALL OF THE “HE” IN THESE SCRIPTURES IS JESUS!

The Bible is grammatically correct- without faults. Look at the difference in the subjects and the pronouns in the first baptism versus the third baptism. They clearly are different. To say they are the same and mean the same says you don’t believe that the Bible is infallible.

Scripture confirms all three baptisms.

  • 1 John 5:7–8 – For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
  • Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture shows that all three baptisms are separate moments of experiencing God’s grace.

  • Acts 8:12–17 – Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
  • Acts 19:5-6 – On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

So, there is SALVATION, WATER and SPIRIT. Jesus had these three baptisms. He needed the dove to descend upon Him WITH the Spirit -not IN. Paul asked “into what then were you baptized”. Their answer was “into John’s Baptism” Acts 19:3 – that is Salvation and water baptism followed their salvation. In Acts 19:6 “And when Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirt came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied”. This is the third baptism here. Four times just in the book of Acts the Holy Spirit came upon people- after Salvation and water baptism- the Holy Spirit baptism was needed according to Paul. 25 years after Pentecost in Acts 19 Paul found some believers -who were saved and also water baptized-and he asked “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Paul was telling them to get baptized WITH the Holy Spirit (third one)

Look at 1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear witness in heaven; the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one”. They bear witness to the supernatural life. 1 John 5:8 “And there are three that bear witness on earth. The Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one” Remember Matthew 3:11 where it states Jesus baptizes with the Spirit.

When you get saved you become a new person. When you get water baptized the old person is cut off. When you get Spirit baptize you get power to walk in the new.