Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 3:1-8, Psalm 32, and 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)
In every temptation, Satan presents that which we think is lacking in us. To Adam and Eve, Satan presented the possibility of becoming like God. 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.
Again, 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.
The third 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 on Jesus when by quoting Bible passages. Once we begin to use the Bible to justify our wrong deeds, we are already falling away from God.
No matter how strong a temptation is, Satan cannot force us to sin. The Bible tells us that when Eve saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate.” To avoid sin, we must first avoid the occasion of sin. As one elderly priest advised: “the meat you will not eat, do not use your teeth to divide it for others.”
Trust God, trust that all his commandments and instructions are for your good. Never believe the lies of the devil, he is only a thief, a liar and a deceiver. Satan is not and will never be a friend, if he gives a dime, he takes back a pound of flesh.
Trust God. Trust and obey his commandments. In the healing of the deaf and dumb man in our Gospel passage this morning, we see how much Jesus cares us. Take your troubles to Jesus and trust that He will find a way out for you.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my trust in you daily that I may never offend you anymore. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.