January 27, 2015
Actress Mae West once stated, "I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it.” That’s the dilemma of temptation: it’s an enticement to do something forbidden that we easily succumb to.
The account of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4) is enlightening. “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4.1) An encounter with the enemy was Spirit-led, difficult as this might be to comprehend. Three great temptations were deployed; each an enticing offer appealing to human need. The first was about hunger (Matthew 4.2-4); the second was about doubt, faith, and testing God (Matthew 4.5-7); and the third was about power and prestige (Matthew 4.8-10). Each temptation was keenly directed at a particular need especially hard to deflect and resist.
We have an enemy who knows our weaknesses all too well. And, he is eager to entice us to indulge improperly to meet that need. Now, lest the enemy get all the blame, we do have a choice. He may deploy the lure, but it’s our choice to take it or not - just as it was with Jesus in the wilderness. The old adage, “The devil made me do it,” is neither accurate nor responsible.
The lessons from Jesus’ temptation are important if we are be similarly victorious. Know that you have an enemy who knows your weaknesses, and is adept at exploiting them. He is even capable of cleverly using Scripture in the process! (Matthew 4.6) But, Holy Spirit within us - as it was within Jesus - is the dynamic force to help us overcome, if we are willing.
Temptation will come today, as it does every day. But, believers have been given the abundant power to overcome and, by overcoming, we become stronger and more effective in service. May we stand guard today, and gain the victory our Father earnestly wants us to have.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
The account of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4) is enlightening. “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4.1) An encounter with the enemy was Spirit-led, difficult as this might be to comprehend. Three great temptations were deployed; each an enticing offer appealing to human need. The first was about hunger (Matthew 4.2-4); the second was about doubt, faith, and testing God (Matthew 4.5-7); and the third was about power and prestige (Matthew 4.8-10). Each temptation was keenly directed at a particular need especially hard to deflect and resist.
We have an enemy who knows our weaknesses all too well. And, he is eager to entice us to indulge improperly to meet that need. Now, lest the enemy get all the blame, we do have a choice. He may deploy the lure, but it’s our choice to take it or not - just as it was with Jesus in the wilderness. The old adage, “The devil made me do it,” is neither accurate nor responsible.
The lessons from Jesus’ temptation are important if we are be similarly victorious. Know that you have an enemy who knows your weaknesses, and is adept at exploiting them. He is even capable of cleverly using Scripture in the process! (Matthew 4.6) But, Holy Spirit within us - as it was within Jesus - is the dynamic force to help us overcome, if we are willing.
Temptation will come today, as it does every day. But, believers have been given the abundant power to overcome and, by overcoming, we become stronger and more effective in service. May we stand guard today, and gain the victory our Father earnestly wants us to have.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:29 AM
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