Temptations arising from within are empowered by the spirit of the world, which is at work to cause deception, to unleash Darkness.

The month of August each year is a time when temptations seem to be particularly powerful and overwhelming; the problem being when these temptations do not appear like temptations, but manifest more in terms of internal feelings, drives and desires, or just plain thoughts.

Temptation is an integral part of our life in Christ that serves a godly purpose, that God might “lead us into temptation”… God does not tempt us, but He would lead us into temptation for a good purpose!

Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

While the purpose of temptation is to cause us to sin, God’s purpose is to cleanse us and deliver us from the root of evil that is within us

James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

There are days, times, and seasons in a year when the forces of Darkness are unleashed to cause people to sin by means of the power of temptation that seems to be particularly powerful in those times.

Ap. Paul spoke about the “evil day”: Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Around the time of the full moon of August 1 this year (2023), I discerned in my own feelings a peculiar surge in certain emotions that almost became overwhelming, until I realized what was happening:

Frustration, disappointment, discouragement, hopelessness, lack of vision, fear of lack of money, worry about tomorrow, fear for health and safety of myself and family, a constant sense of danger.

Such thoughts and feelings manifesting from within may be the result of demonic influence. The fact that we have thoughts and feelings does not automatically mean that they are also our own.

1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Ephesians 2:1 And you [He made alive,] who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Ephesians 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

James 5:19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

1 John 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak [as] of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error [orig. ‘deception’].