SCRIPTURE: "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Matthew 4:5   (KJV)

Isn't it interesting how HIGH the old devil can take us - just to get us to test God. And let me be possibly the first one to tell you that this word means to "excessively" test God The Father. Yet, if we take into account all of the spiritual ramifications of that word "tempt" or "test" found here in the text, we would find that we're talking bout much more than that.

Have you ever heard of those who try and "cheat death"? Since Jesus is the only one with the keys to hell and the grave... (Rev. 1:18), it stands to reason that He is the one who decides the very second that you will breathe your last breath. If you think you are trying to "cheat death"... you are actually trying to cheat GOD! In fact, to some, that just raises the bar a wee-bit higher for them, as death can't hold a candle to trying cheat the very God that created them. It's a sick mind and a sick world that they live in. But WAIT!!! Some of us do almost the same thing everyday - we just don't call it trying to cheat death - even though that's just what we're doing.

Now, what I'm about to say here is no longer taught from most pulpits. We've moved on to trying to prove why God wants us RICH! We've gone on to proving that no matter what you do, if you have at one time or the other prayed the sinners' prayer... you'll go to heaven. We've moved on to saying that it's okay for kids to experiment with the most primal urges at a dance - as long as it's at the church building: better yet, in the Sanctuary! GOD HELP US! We've moved on to pushing tolerance for the practicing Homosexual - and winking at adultery and divorce. Why, we're even having preachers calling young women out of marriages because they say God has told them that these gals have been released from it. But wait a minute... what does the WORD say? "And God spoke all these words, saying: 'I am the LORD your God…

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.

4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5. Honour thy father and thy mother.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.'

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor
    his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.     Exodus 20:1-17 (KJV)

Friend, If you are not applying these WORDS of God to Your LIFE on a daily basis... you are playing that dangerous game called "Trying to Cheat Death".

That is something NO MAN WILL EVER DO FOR GOD THE FATHER HAS SAID....

"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."  Eze 18:4, (KJV)

It's interesting to note that in both Matthew 4:5 and Matthew 4: 8 the words "Pinnacle" and "High", respectfully, refer to a "lofty" position.

I can't help but note how many preachers of this day and age have found themselves on that same high and "lofty place" being offered all kind of things from that voice from within... and they have not just thrown themselves down... but they have dove headlong into the lies of prosperity and power. They have forgotten their first-love and are trying to "have their cake and eat it too". I think the best analogy I can make of the covenant between the men of God who have  swallowed the lie of the enemy, is the news that all around the country there is a movement to do away with mandatory circumcision and allow it to be the choice of the parent. In affect they are saying that it is okay to live with the flesh and to not cut it away as was commanded by the Lord. Isn't that just like many of the Christians of today? Okay with living with the flesh?

When Old Satan leads you into that High Place and allows your mind to run wild with the possibilities of what might be - should you take that dive... remember the WORDS of Jesus and SCREAM THEM OUT IF YOU MUST...

"Get thee hence, (OR BE GIONE!!!) Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10 (KJV)

Let's pray..

Father, we are bombarded from every side to sin against you, and at times it is so subtle and seemingly so promising, that we forget that it's often a trap to "hook us" into the finer things of this life so that we will forget the vows we made to you with regard to our spouses and our children and even more Father - to you. Don't let us to lose sight of the prize of ETERNAL LIFE with you where there will be no sickness and no disease; no heartache or crying - but an everlasting Joy with You. We bless Your Name, O Lord, for providing the Lamb, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to give us that blessed hope. Help us to remain strong and remember that we can only overcome the onslaughts of the enemy by the Blood and the WORD of our Testimony. We continue for you... in Jesus' Name, Amen.