Enduring Amidst Temptation
Spontaneous Ponderings
Temptation and sin. One of the greatest struggles for every human being. What can we learn from Jesus’ temptation to help us in our struggle against sin?
The reason that Jesus was able to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins is because he was without sin. He was God come as a man, and he was able to live his entire life without sinning. But how impressive would that be if he was never tempted to sin? Not very.
In Matthew 4, the Bible makes it clear that Jesus did face temptation, just like you and I do. In the Luke version of this passage (Luke 4), it says that Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days. We really only get the snapshot at the end, but this temptation went on for several weeks, and Jesus had been fasting this entire time. I don’t know about you, but I’m much more likely to give in to temptation when I’m hungry. Yet Jesus was able to resist even in the midst of that because he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
We get a little more perspective on this in Hebrews. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest [Jesus] who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” This verse gives us hope that it is possible to resist temptation just like Jesus did. How is this possible? By leaning on Jesus to help us, as it says in Hebrews 2:18: “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
God also promises to give us a way out when we are tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.” This tells me two things: I’m not the only one struggling with this temptation, and God will give me the strength to endure and not give in.
Jesus is our model in this situation. He perfectly demonstrated how to face temptation and endure without sinning. First, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted, he received the Holy Spirit, and he was filled with the Spirit’s power. If you are trying to fight sin without the Spirit, you will lose. But if you face that temptation with the Spirit’s power, you will be victorious, just like Jesus. Second, use the power of Scriptures to fight against Satan’s schemes. Jesus knew his Scriptures, and because of this, he could counter Satan’s attacks and identify his lies. The best way to recognize Satan’s lies is by knowing the truth—God’s word.
How will you now go forward to fight against Satan’s attacks? Be filled with the Holy Spirit and the knowledge of God’s word.