By Deryl S. Lampkin
Immediately after Jesus was baptised, He was driven by the Spirit of God into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. God purposely allows the devil to put us to the test to prove the validity of our conversion and to improve our moral character.
Once a person accepts the gift of salvation, the devil will immediately begin to test them to see if their conversion is genuine. He will continuously test their commitment, faithfulness, endurance, strength and knowledge or the Word of God.
There are certain foundational scriptures and principles you must become rooted and grounded in. These fundamentals will enable you to stand strong through the boot camp testing stage of your Kingdom of God experience.
Man Does not Live by Physical Bread Only but It's the Spiritual Bread of Life that Produces a Fulfilled and Eternal Life
1. You need to know that your provisions, supplies, and necessities comes from the Word of God and that your spiritual needs are more important than your physical needs. God says that we should seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Mat 6:33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Mat 6:31
2. You should not try God with foolish tests. The devil will suggest to your mind, stupid things to do to prove that you are a born again child of God or that you have the power of God. Do not fall prey to this tactic, it can result in great harm to you.
3. The devil will suggest to you ungodly and alternative ways to become successful in life. We are to only serve God and obey his commandments. We are not to be servant of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes nor the pride of life.
The Job of the Devil
The devil’s job is to get you to focus on and be preoccupied with your physical and material needs and desires so that you will neglect developing your spiritual power and authority. If he keeps you engrossed in worldly activity, you will never develop into the person God intended for you to be.
True Worship
Obeying every thing that God commands, is what empowers us to become who God says we are. Whom you obey is the one you are really serving and worshipping. If we live contrary to God’s laws, principles and commandments, then that is proof positive evidence that we are not serving and worshipping God.
What we do on Sunday when we gather together is really a time of fellowship and edifying and building up one another. What we do from the time we leave the fellowship house and return again is when true worship and serving God takes place. We are always serving somebody. The question is, Is it God, the Flesh, the World, or the Devil?