We must be conscious of the power of lust to instigate temptation. Lust spurs inordinate affection for achievement and for material things. It is because of its power to pull down people that makes Satan to always place it above the word and will of God in the mind of the people, so, he can easily draw people into temptation.

Despite the power of lust, not everyone can easily fall for it. An individual is conquered because “he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticement.”

Gazing at, or meditating continuously on an object of temptation can make a believer lose his or her Christian experiences, ministry, life, dignity and precious privileges. “For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.”

Many people read and hear the word of God, but “the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Many so-called Christians do not count prosperity and success as temptation. They can do anything — sacrifice their integrity and Christian experiences — for prosperity. They do not know how to deal with fraudulence and the love of money. Hence, they “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

The scripture commands us to “flee these things” and “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” We must take deliberate steps to pursue and preserve the treasures God has deposited in us, despite the preponderance of temptations.

People who recognise that they have a treasure work to protect and preserve it with their lives. The privilege to be called children of God, ministers of the gospel; to enjoy fellowship with other saints, to have our names written in the Book of Life, and harbour the hope of reward in heaven, is an invaluable treasure. If we know how valuable, sublime and great our treasure is, temptation will mean nothing to us.

As believers, we must “lay not up for (ourselves) treasures upon earth… But lay up for (ourselves) treasures in heaven… For where (our) treasure is, there will (our) heart be also.” Bible personalities like Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah, Job, Daniel and the apostles all focused on their treasures and refused to compromise.

People yield to temptation because they forget their treasures. We must set our minds on our precious treasure, and give up everything that contest with it. Money became the idol of the rich ruler whom Jesus told to detach himself from it to have treasure in heaven. When he “went away grieved… Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples: “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” We must not allow the things of this world to affect our commitment to the great commission.

We must be “temperate in all things” and not allow good or bad things become objects of temptation to us. We must keep our desires under control, and care more for the things of the Lord. Also, we must not allow the prevailing conditions in our cities or communities to be a temptation to us. The Lord admonishes: “Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” As we await His coming, we must stand for righteousness and not allow temptation to grab our soul, pull or drag us back from our inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for (us), who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

• Further reading (King James Version): James 1:2,12,14,15; James 1:14,15; Proverbs 6:25-29; Mark 4:18,19; 1 Timothy 6:9-11; 1 Peter 2:11; Matthew 6:19-21; 13:44; Mark 10:21-24; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; 7:29-31; Revelation 2:10; 3:11, 12, 21, 22; 1 Peter 1:3-5.