In (Luke 22:31), Jesus warns Simon “the enemy has asked to sift all of you as wheat.” In this passage, Jesus is reminding HIS disciples that Satan’s temptations are powerful and can lead them astray if they are not careful. The enemy often uses our weaknesses – such as our desires for money, fame, or power – to lure us away from God and the peace and contentment that HE offers. Satan’s traps come in many forms and can be found in everyday life. It might be something as simple as a heated argument with a loved one or as complex as a life of crime. No matter the form, these portals of Satan lead to a life of discord, dissent, and rivalry. They can cause our homes to be filled with darkness and despair, instead of peace and warmth. The enemy is like a baker, combining ingredients to create a concoction that will bring us down. He adds these components of destruction to our lives without us even realizing. We are left feeling empty and heavy, but we don’t understand why. We get caught up in the world’s idea of normality and are praised for following the popular path, even though it leads to nowhere. Jesus’ words to Simon are a warning to us all. We must be mindful of Satan’s attacks and stay rooted in our faith in God. We must recognize the traps of the evil one and make sure not to let him lead us astray from the hope and joy that only God can provide.
The Bible teaches us that the world is not our home, and that we should not conform to the standards of this world. In (2 Corinthians 10:5) below, Paul writes, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
We believers are called to live a life that is set apart from the world, and to be different from the world’s standards. As Jesus said in (Mathew 16:26), “What profit is there if you gain the whole world—and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life?”
To keep from being sifted like wheat, strive to stay close to God and put our trust in HIM. Consistently pray for strength and guidance to resist temptation. Strive to build strong relationships with other believers, that we can encourage and support each other on this spiritual journey. Be constantly mindful of the spiritual warfare going on around us that we guard ourselves from being caught off guard by the enemy.
Satan tempts man with lust, money, and opportunity because these things can lead us away from God and draw us into pride and selfishness. His only motive is to lead us away from a life of faith, love, and obedience to God.
Luke 22:31
New International Version
31 “ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.”
Luke 22:31
King James Version
31 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”
Luke 22:31
Living Bible
31 “ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have you, to sift you like wheat,”
2 Corinthians 10:5
New International Version
5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
King James Version
5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
2 Corinthians 10:5
Living Bible
5 “These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God and change them into men whose hearts’ desire is obedience to Christ.”
Matthew 16:26
New International Version
26 “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
Matthew 16:26
King James Version
26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 16:26
Living Bible
26 “What profit is there if you gain the whole world—and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life?”