“For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain“
For this reason,
The reason Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica was the subtlety of Satan in discouraging the new church.
when I could no longer endure it,
The word “endure” means to protect, or preserve by covering. It carries the idea of keeping off something that threatens – to bear up against or hold out against something. Paul was troubled that he didn’t know the true spiritual condition of the Thessalonians.
“If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12).
Because Paul was certain that persecutions were inevitable and had befallen the Thessalonians, he was deeply concerned about their spiritual welfare. He could no longer bear the suspense so he sent to obtain firsthand knowledge of the condition of their faith. He wanted to assure himself that the Tempter had not won them over by his enticements.
I sent to know your faith,
Paul wanted to know the spiritual state of the Thessalonian Christians. “Were they walking with the Lord or were they caving in to pressure?” “Did they have any faith?”
lest by some means the tempter had tempted you,
The Bible refers to the Devil as “tempter” twice — here and in the temptation of Christ (Matthew 4:1-3) where the Devil tries to lure Jesus into moving away from God’s plan.
The Devil uses persecution to discourage Christians from living dynamic Christian lives. The “tempter” will destroy them by guile. Satan will slant their minds against God’s will. He does not use honorable strategies like Christians. Christians limit themselves to systems that are biblical and legitimate. The Devil uses strategies consistent with his character.
“Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).
“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression” (1 Timothy 2:14).
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9).
Principle:
The church persecuted is the church purified. Satan will use his wiles to deceive us.
Application:
The church of Christ is filled with fakers and phonies. People need to examine themselves as to whether they are genuine Christians.
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
No doubt all phonies will throw in the towel quickly. Persecution always sorts out the fakers. The church popular is the church polluted. The church persecuted is the church purified. If the church receives nothing but favor from the world system then there is something wrong with the church. The world hates the church when it finds out what the church believes.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
The Devil will take advantage of your vulnerability. He knows about your history. He knows where he can stick it to you.
Temptation is an awful thing particularly when both Satan and your sin capacity join forces against you. At times, Satan will move into your family and create problems in your household. He hates harmonious Christian homes. He may, for example, attempt to invade the bedroom.
“Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinthians 7:5).
Satan loves misunderstanding, unkindness and thoughtlessness. He wants couples to take each other for granted. He wants them to misuse sex. He delights to see physical and emotional bonds broken and partners drift apart. The Devil may bring a third person onto the scene which can result in cheating, infidelity, and eventual divorce.
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