...are you being manipulated?

Throughout the Bible, we see Satan is a master manipulator of human nature, even going so far as to try to manipulate Jesus into sinning when He had been fasting 40 days and 40 nights. A bible fast is to not consume any water or food. So, Jesus had to be very physically weak. That is what the enemy does, he hits us when we are weak and exhausted, or sometimes when we are joyously happy because something very important to us has gone right! Then we may be distracted, feeling proud. He moves in and takes advantage of our human nature.

So, what is wrong with our human nature? We have sinful tendencies (Romans 3:23), and although Satan can only influence us through our weaknesses, some areas are very easily manipulated. Paul lists the selfish fleshy desires that often get us into trouble in Galatians 5: 19-21. Included are adultery, harlotry, incest, moral impurity, sexual immorality, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, orgies, etc. Paul then stressed that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God, but will be given over to do whatever their sinful desires want because they have exchanged the truth about God for a lie and served the creation rather than the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! (Romans 1:24-25).

Second, self-deception, part of our natural deviousness, is a major weakness! Jeremiah 17:9-10 states that the heart is devious above all else and desperately wicked! Perverse and no one can understand it. It goes on to say the LORD searches the heart and examines secret motives. He give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve. With self-deception comes self-justification. We naturally look for ways to justify our lusts, sinful desires, and the consequential behaviors. We deceive ourselves into believing that since it is all natural, then it is not so bad... That is what God means when He says there is a way that seems right to man, but its end is death in Proverbs 14:12; 16:25.

If that weren't enough, we also have the natural tendency to resent having our lusts and desires limited by rules, whether or not they come from God. Read Romans 8:5-8. If you live by the Spirit of God, you set your mind on the things of the Spirit resulting in life and peace; but those who live by the flesh set their minds on pleasing the, flesh resulting in death. This tells us that those who set your mind on the flesh, are hostile to God and don't submit to God's law, nor can they please God.

All of these weaknesses, along with others, are what we call human nature. Without the positive influence of God's Spirit, we are simply not inclined to live according to His instructions. We easily follow along with Satan as he takes advantage of our weak and greedy nature, persuading us to rely solely on our emotions, needs, and wants.

If you live by the dictates of your human nature, the flesh, you will die. But if you choose to live by the Spirit,you will put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, and you will live! For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8: 13-14).