I tossed the shopping bag into the trunk of the car and slammed it shut, hoping if it was out of sight, it would lessen the feeling of guilt. I had gone to the mall to shop for pants, but how a sweater, scarf and vest also ended up in my bag is beyond me. I consoled myself that it was not my fault, because as I was passing by the clothing racks on sale, I was sure those items had called out my name.

We live in a world full of temptations, and all of us can recall a time when we found it easier to give in, rather than fight it. Whether it is the temptation to overeat, hit the snooze button to get 5 more minutes of blissful sleep, scroll on social media, slander someone we don’t like, or gossip, it is the familiar ‘feel good’ feeling that follows the temptation that makes us repeat the offence.

“Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell”

– Unknown

Most times the consequences are not immediate, which makes us think there is no urgency to develop a habit of resisting.

But why was Jesus deliberately led by the Spirit to be tempted by the enemy? (Matthew 4:1) Isn’t the Holy Spirit supposed to help us overcome sin? Jesus Himself taught us to pray “do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil”.

Jesus was not at the wrong place at the wrong time. He didn’t wander into those temptations. It was preplanned.

After 40 days of fasting, He was hungry, probably tired and thirsty. Defeating the enemy proved that in His weakest, most vulnerable state, He was stronger than the devil, and was able to withstand all temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life), declaring that we too can resist and overcome the enemy, even when we feel tired and worn out. Our physical, emotional and mental state does not diminish the One who lives in us.

The enemy could find nothing in Jesus to appeal to. No greed, no covetousness, no lust, no hatred, no unforgiveness, no jealousies, no bitterness, no fear, no anger….

Jesus was equipped with the Word, the baptism of the Spirit, fasting and prayer. He knew who He was. The beloved Son of the Father and empowered by the Spirit – just like us.

Being equipped does not exempt us from temptation, but it does make the biggest difference in how we handle things when it shows up. Every miracle performed by Jesus took place after He defeated the devil in the wilderness.

So how do you handle temptations? Are you equipped and ready? Are you fully armed yet lack the discipline to refute it consistently and confidently? Do you scramble for a scripture willy nilly or do you speak God’s Word authoritatively?

When faced with a temptation, we must remember the Holy Spirit is with us, and for us, but the decision to fight or give in, is ours. We are overcomers in Christ and that truth is something we must live out in our daily lives.

Lord, help us to lean on You to overcome the temptations that make us fall into sin.

In His Service,

Sohani Faria
Director
Sound of the Lord Mission