My friend and co-writer, Bill Cook, wrote these words in our book, Victory over the Enemy–words that challenge me to look at my life today:
———-
Often the major problem in one’s battle with temptation is spiritual complacency, a satisfaction with one’s walk with Jesus without a sense of needing needing to go further in discipleship. A. W. Tozer writes in The Pursuit of God:
I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing for God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He wants to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us, He waits so long, so very long in vain. (p. 23)
Here are some diagnostic questions for you to ask yourself and meditate on as you finish this chapter [“Victory in Temptation”]: (1) Am I basing my spiritual maturity and reputation in my past victories? (2) Do I give evidence of present victories and blessings in my life? (3) Are there indications that I have cracks in my spiritual foundation? (4) Is there an area in my life where I am not taking advantage of God’s escape route by continually giving in to temptation and making excuses? Answer these questions honestly if you want to live in victory over the enemy.
Cook III, William F.; Lawless, Chuck. Victory over the Enemy (pp. 104-105). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.