Temptation

Temptation

Jesus understands us.  Jesus knows exactly how we feel when we are facing temptations. He knows this because he, too, faced intense temptation from Satan.  We read an account of this in Matthew 4:1-11.  After fasting for 40 days and nights, Jesus was hungry and weak. Satan chose this low point as the opportune time to try to thwart God's plan for Jesus being on earth. The temptations started to come to Jesus to create his own food, to show that he was God by throwing himself off of the height of the temple and not be harmed, and the promise of riches and greatness if only he bowed down and worshiped Satan.  We know that Jesus is God, and my expectation would be that Jesus would call down lightning from heaven to zap Satan or to have him swallowed up in a big hole that opened in the earth.  These things seem like a fitting way for God to deal with Satan and his temptations.  

Yet Jesus is not only 100% God, he is also 100% man.  He responded in a way that is fully accessible to us.  As a human I am not able to call lighting from the sky or create holes in the ground to swallow my problems and temptations.  Jesus knows our limitations and he simply responded to the temptations, the lies, that Satan was bringing with the truth of God's Word.  Speaking the truth was enough to resist the worst of Satan's attacks.  In our weakness and low points, God's word is always strong enough to resist temptation.  Jesus set us such a beautiful example in spiritual warfare that ALWAYS available to us.  

Over the weekend I was feeling angry, apathetic, and struggling.  I didn't realize at first that this was a spiritual attack.  As I wallowed in those feelings, God began to bring his truth into my mind.  He reminded me of the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23.  He showed me that my emotions were not in line with the good things he gives.  I was reminded that God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)  As I reflected on God's word and claimed His promises, the darkness and temptation lifted.  The light of God's truth pushed out the darkness of Satan's temptation.  

We must be people who are studying God's Word regularly.  It is our weapon of defense against Satan's attacks.  There are so many beautiful promises we can cling on to in our darkest moments.  If God's Word is what Jesus turned to, then we must follow His example and do likewise.  

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:  God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."  1 John 1:5

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."  1 Corinthians 10:13

"In that day you will say: 'I will praise you, O Lord.  Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.  Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.'"

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1