Two-minute read.
“Where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”
Luke 4:2
Conquered Temptation.
Jesus’s ministry begins with forty days in the desert with the enemy tempting Him. Christ faced three temptations: lust of the flesh, pride of life, and lust of the eyes. First, the devil tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. Then Satan tempts Christ to take authority of the kingdoms of the world if Jesus worships him. And thirdly, the enemy tempts Jesus to test God’s promise to protect His life. Jesus responds to every temptation with scripture, resisting all the devil’s ploys.
Like Jesus, the better we know scripture, the more we can use it to overcome the enemy’s ploys. Satan roams the Earth, looking to devour Christ’s followers (1 Peter 5:8). We can stand firm in the face of temptation by relying on God’s word and the firm foundation we find in Jesus. Where Israel failed in the desert, Jesus succeeded because of His obedience to God’s commands, conquering temptation.
God doesn’t tempt people to do evil, nor will He succumb to temptation. People test the Lord with unreasonable demands, as the Israelites did in the desert. God may test people, as He did the Israelites, but He doesn’t tempt them. When we cling to the Lord, resisting the enemies’ schemes, we will experience His pleasure, as Jesus did.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Cor. 10:13
God provides a way out of the temptations we face. Jesus shows us how using scripture and obedience, He defeated the devil’s ploys. Remembering that we do have an enemy that wants to destroy us AND that we share in Christ’s victory helps us overcome the devil’s ploys. “Not today, Satan,” a common slogan on t-shirts and mugs, always makes me smile. Every time I feel an attack from the devil, I mutter those words, reminding myself of the victory I have in Jesus.
When tempted, turn to Jesus. Call the Creator for help, look for the escape route, and take it. Divine power gives divine deliverance. On our strength, we will fail, but partnered with Christ, we will experience victory.
In Christ alone, my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here, in the love of Christ, I stand.
(In Christ Alone, by Michael English)
Journal Questions:
- How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
- What temptation do you need Jesus’ help overcoming?
- How have you found victory in Jesus?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us Jesus as an example to overcome the temptations of this world. As we endure the enemy’s attacks, let him not get a foothold in our lives. Protect us from the devil’s ploys, and give us victory in Jesus. Let Satan’s ploys bounce off us, leaving no mark and causing no harm. IJNIP. Amen
