Contemplate this question at length. Which is more detrimental to your walk with the Lord, the temptations of our adversary, or your old sinful nature?
Some like to say there is a third enemy we battle with, that of this evil world, and that may be correct in a sense, for not all in this regard could be considered a temptation, but we must remember this, that if any evil befalls those who are hid in Christ, it is not going to arrive unless your Father in heaven allows it to. We have in that sense a greater hedge around us than even Job had, for we have the Holy Spirit within us.
In accordance to the truth of 1st Corinthians 10:13 then, that every temptation that assails us is common to all mankind, and the knowledge that our old man, our flesh is subject to the law of sin, which is worse, those temptations or our still abiding sinful nature?
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)
After we are glorified, our sinful nature will be gone forever, temptations will have no effect upon us, thus fulfilling, finally, 1st John 3:2.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
So, one must consider, even if no temptations of our adversary were presented before us, would our flesh still seek to fulfill that law of sin, and how?
The Almighty did not place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the fruit upon it as a temptation to our first parents, He knew they would succumb to the wiles of the devil before the foundation of the world was laid my friends. Satan did not sneak into the garden unaware of the Most High, but without his prodding, his sly words, would one of our parents have succumbed to their own desires to eat of that fruit?
If we could answer that question, we could answer the initial one offered to you in this short letter.
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” (Rev. 20:7)
Most men of God would agree that not only Satan, but all that were cast out with him will have no influential power on mankind during the thousand-year reign of Christ on this earth, what we call the Millennial Period. Yet mankind will still sin without his tempting powers.
If it was necessary to allow Satan to tempt Adam and Eve, why will it not be necessary for his temptations to be present during those thousand years?
My friends, we can sin full well without those common temptations of our adversary, we do not need his assistance to dishonor our Father in heaven. So, in my personal opinion, I would suggest that our worst enemy is not who most people think it is. I believe it is ourselves.
Consider the following verse well, for in it is truth if the Almighty decides to allow more than a common temptation to enter into your life, if that third adversary, so to speak, is allowed to assault you.
“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:22)
The temptations are common, yet we are not unaware of the wiles of our adversary, we will sin, and when we do, we will run to our faithful Intercessor, and He will forgive us. Then, we will continue to fulfill 2nd Peter 3:18 in our lives.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
I offer you only this, the next time you think that our adversary is whispering in your ear, test the Spirits, it may be your old nature speaking instead.
