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Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:5
Listen: 1 Thessalonians

For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. 1 Thessalonians 3:5

 

Paul knows the Thessalonians will face intense pressure for their faith as they live counter to their culture. He also knows that they are most susceptible to temptation in those moments of pressure. There is an enemy who actively works against their faith to draw them away from their trust in Jesus. Paul fears they may have abandoned their faith.

The tempter still works against us today. We are prone to give in to temptation when we face pressure for our faith. Like a fisherman luring a trophy fish with bait, our enemy uses any means necessary to complete his deceptive mission. We may be tempted to think God doesn’t love us when we face hardship. Or maybe we’re tempted to believe the Bible is outdated, not true for today or irrelevant to our struggles. An unshakable faith recognizes we have an enemy and pauses to consider whether our thoughts are from God and his Word or the enemy’s lies.

TODAY: One way to fight against the enemy’s tactics is with the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Commit to memorizing core biblical truths to counter the enemy’s lies. If you would like to grow in how to study and engage the Bible, consider signing up for Ada Bible Academy’s fall course “Understanding and Reading the Bible.” Learn more and register HERE.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Hosea 3-4.Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Look for the call to seek and return to God. Consider how Jesus calls us to repentance and restoration (Mark 1:15).