06
Temptations from the Past
John TiltonGalatians 4:8-11
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
Paul voices his concern for the Galatians about their tendency to turn back and be drawn to the things of the past that were not of Christ, but rather forces that oppose the will and heart of Christ. He notes the propensity of being enslaved by those things where they become strongholds of sin. However, Paul reminds the Galatians that the new season of walking with Christ is a special season with many years to come.
Paul’s concern is very valid for all of us as believers who have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and walk in new life through Him. We need to be conscious of the tug of our past ways and desires that are not of the Lord’s will, hence that we get drawn back to those things that are of the world and result in sin and disobedience. They are the things that we battle as strongholds; things of the flesh and world that desire to enslave us. They are the things that we know Christ died for. Thus, it is through the power of Jesus Christ and His Word that provides us with the will, weapons, ways, strength and perseverance to walk in obedience to the Lord and overcome the things and temptations of the past. In those times, we can and need to call out and proclaim the power of Jesus to renounce the things of the world that tempt us … yes, verbalize the things of the Lord that our own ears can hear. Focus on what we are saying until it goes to our heart and manifests itself in our mind to become the will and power to overcome temptation.
Dear Lord, I stand on your will and Word that enables me to fight the good fight of not turning back to past temptations, but turning to you and your Word in obedience that I will walk in your ways!
