Beware of the Least Likely
Temptation
Joab had defected to Adonijah, though he had not
defected to Absalom —1 Kings 2:28
Joab withstood the greatest test of his
life, remaining absolutely loyal to David by not turning to follow after the
fascinating and ambitious Absalom. Yet toward the end of his life he turned to
follow after the weak and cowardly Adonijah. Always
remain alert to the fact that where one person has turned back is exactly where
anyone may be tempted to turn back (see 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 ). You may have just
victoriously gone through a great crisis, but now be alert about the things
that may appear to be the least likely to tempt you. Beware of thinking that
the areas of your life where you have experienced victory in the past are now
the least likely to cause you to stumble and fall.
We are apt to say, "It is not
at all likely that having been through the greatest crisis of my life I would
now turn back to the things of the world." Do not try to predict where the
temptation will come; it is the least likely thing that is the real danger. It
is in the aftermath of a great spiritual event that the least likely things
begin to have an effect. They may not be forceful and dominant, but they are
there. And if you are not careful to be forewarned, they will trip you. You
have remained true to God under great and intense trials— now beware of the
undercurrent. Do not be abnormally examining your inner self, looking forward
with dread, but stay alert; keep your memory sharp before God. Unguarded
strength is actually a double weakness, because that is where the least likely
temptations will be effective in sapping strength. The Bible characters
stumbled over their strong points, never their weak ones.
". . . kept
by the power of God . . ."— that is the only safety. (1 Peter 1:5).
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost For His Highest” April 19)