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Satan's methods have not changed since the beginning. The devil is either very limited or not very creative in his ways. We often give him more credit than he deserves by falling for one of the three methods he uses and then we do the rest ourselves.

Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, those are the three temptations the evil one uses. He either puts something before us that we find alluring by sight because it tickles our mind, our flesh because it fills a physical need, or something that will make us think we are self-sufficient and above others including God. The same technique from Adam and Eve to Jesus, and to you and I, it has not changed.

With Adam and Eve, it was the forbidden fruit, which was good to look at. It tasted good. It was promised to make them wise and like God (ironic, since man was already created in the image or likeness of God to begin with).

Satan tempted Christ with food after Christ had been fasting, he showed Him the kingdoms of the earth and offered them to Christ, and he tempted the pride of Jesus by challenging Him to jump off the mountain and witness the angels come rescue Him from the fall. Different scenarios, but the same elements, Satan is not very diverse in his ways!

We can examine our own experiences and categorize them in the three buckets as well. So then why is it so much damage can be done with just three techniques? Often it is because once we yield to one of the techniques, we tend to take it to the next level and cause it to spiral out of control.

Eve blamed the serpent for tempting her; Adam blamed Eve and God for giving him Eve. Together they hid from God and when given the opportunity to confess and get it over with, they refused. The temptation part was over, but the consequences of trying to cover up the sin generated more sin.

Satan may have only three tricks up his sleeve, but we can invent many ways to make a bad choice worse once we have fallen for temptation. The key is to know his customs and to be able to detect them so they can be resisted. If, however, one succumbs, then the most expedient way to limit the damage is to just admit to it and turn the other direction. Easier said that done, but it's easiest to do when the Holy Spirit is in your life.

Learn more about this author, David Kramer.
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