I don’t remember exactly how old I was when I first
was taught about the temptation of Christ.
I know that I was a kid, though, and young enough to think that the
devil was being mean and picking on Jesus.
I remember wanting Jesus to use His superpowers to trick the devil into
thinking He threw Himself down but would really still standing there next to
him. In my imagination it would be as if He could create the illusion of doing
what the devil wanted but not really doing it.
That’s how badly I wanted the devil to leave my Jesus alone. I really didn’t understand what the temptation
of Christ was about back then at all.
Today my understanding is probably only slightly
better. I mean, I understand why Jesus
didn’t use His superpowers. He came into
the world just as we did; with the power of the word and the Holy Ghost to
defeat the devil. As I write I know I am
going in a totally different direction than what I had intended so thank you
Holy Spirit. Here it goes.
When it comes to temptation we think we can trick the devil, ourselves
really, into thinking we can engage in whatever is tempting us just a little
bit and not be totally consumed by the temptation. If drink is our temptation then “just a sip”
will be ok. If adultery is our
temptation then some harmless flirtation is ok.
If stealing is our temptation then it’s just a pen I am borrowing. We play games with temptations- illusions (or
delusions?), and with the devil hoping to use our “super powers’ to get out of trouble
once we are in it.
What we fail
to realize is when we do such things it opens the door for the devil to come
into our lives and set up shop. When he
sets up shop that’s just what he does, shop around to find out what other areas
of our lives to infiltrate and ultimately ruin.
Depending on how well versed in the word you are you may have a tough
time getting rid of the not so secret shopper.
Even the smallest entry into your life, to him, is like being given a
credit card with no credit limit. He’s
holding it in his hand yelling ‘Charge!”
Don’t let him in; not even an inch.
Say, for
example, you have a friend or friends trying to convince you to do something you
know you shouldn’t do. You yield to
their pressure “just this one last time” but what you really did was let the
devil in. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man
that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of
sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Ungodly friends are truly enemies that hinder
blessing. Definitely ungodly counsel
from anybody does.
No doubt temptation will come. Richard Baxter writes: “It is evident that
you are your own destroyers, in that you are so ready to entertain almost any
temptation that is offered you. Satan is scarce readier to move you to any
evil, than you are ready to hear, and to do as he would have you. If he would
tempt your understanding to error and prejudice, you yield. If he would hinder
you from good resolutions, it is soon done. If he would cool any good desires
or affections, it is soon done. If he would kindle any lust or vile affections
and desires in you, it is soon done. If he will put you on to evil thoughts, or
words, or deeds, you are so free, that he needs not rod or spur. If he would
keep you from holy thoughts, and words, and ways, a little does it, you need no
curb. You examine not his suggestions, nor resist them with any resolution, nor
cast them out as he casts them in, nor quench the sparks which he endeavours to
kindle: but you set in with him, and meet him half way, and embrace his
motions, and tempt him to tempt you. And it is easy to catch such greedy fish
that are ranged for a bait, and will take the bare hook.1”
It is best to avoid temptation at all costs. How?
Jesus, Himself, tells us how by praying. He admonished His
disciples to “rise and pray that ye enter not into temptation”. With that in mind it is no wonder 1
Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. It’s simple right? Avoid temptation and everything will be hunky
dory. If only the flesh was as willing
as the mind. Thank God for grace and
enduring mercy. Truly, thank the Lord
for knowing how to deliver the godly from temptation!
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