When you're undergoing temptation

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."       

                                                                             Matthew 4:1  NKJV 

After Jesus' baptism, He was immediately led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. We may think that He had no time to think- no time to prepare, He was just led there. But He knew, and this demonstrates how Jesus was always ready for whatever may come His way. Now the wilderness is a very hot place by day, but can almost be frosty during the nights. Danger lurks at every point not only from overheating and being frozen, but from wild animals, snakes and deadly insects. Not really a nice place to be on your own with no food or drink or camping equipment.

There are lessons to learn by His 40 day stay in this environment. He was faithful in the smaller tasks before God gave Him the greater one of dying on the cross. To be tempted from the divine standpoint, means a positive test; from the devil's standpoint it implies enticement to sin; from Jesus' standpoint it is a challenge from Satan to test God's sovereignty and plan v6. 

Note how the devil speaks to Jesus here, using the word 'if.' This is attempting to place doubt in Jesus' mind. He will also do this to you and I. He endeavours to confuse us and deny the divinity of Jesus. The word 'Tempt' in the English language means to entice people to do wrong. However, the Greek interpretation of this word is Peirazien, which means to test. Therefore, what we call temptation, is not to make us sin but, to enable us to conquer it, just as Jesus could be described as a conqueror or, using patient sacrificial love.

When Jesus was led into the wilderness and fasted 40 days and nights, at the end of this period He would have been exhausted, hungry, thirsty, one moment hot, the next very cold. Notice that the devil waited for the apt time to approach Jesus - 'Now when' v3. He waited until Jesus was at His lowest before He went to speak with Him. He will also do this to us. It is when we are tired, busy or at a low point that we are more vulnerable to attack. However, even though Jesus was at a low point, He used His authority - He would not compromise at all. He used His Father's word. 

Don't think that Jesus was unprepared for what was going to happen, He was. He knew what He had to go through to accomplish God's wishes so, He ensured that He was ready for whatever happened. He knew what He had to do. He was in His humanity and thus, demonstrated weakness that called for angels to come and serve Him afterwards. But, He was still prepared and ready for the task; He knew what lay ahead, and so do we - we know that the devil will try and attack us whenever He can (1 Peter 5:8). So be alert.

This is why, like Jesus, we have to be prepared. Jesus knew God's word, so should we. God was watching over Him - He is you and I, as well. In fact, we have everything that we need to survive in this society. We know the devil is not our friend so, we need to live accordingly. He will lie to us. He will try to confuse us, bringing doubt. Let us realise this and be ready for any test or temptation that comes our way. Jesus has given us the blueprint for success. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

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