Week of January 4

Jesus’ temptation encounter illustrates that it is not a sin to be tempted. Many believers, however, have not considered the benefit of temptation for their growth in Christ-likeness. Benefit? Temptation, indeed, reminds us not to live independently of God. It spurs us to remain attached closely to the Heavenly Father’s will. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil, so there is an important lesson to be learned from this encounter. Let’s learn today how to deal with temptation.

The account will show us that the Savior wins out over temptation and the devil because He was “full of the Spirit.” Jesus has just experienced a “mountain-top” spiritual moment at His baptism, and now He will face a “valley-floor” spiritual event in the wilderness. Both events, His baptism and His wilderness temptation, were the result of “the Spirit’s having come upon him” (NAC; see 3:22). Notice also that God initiates all these events! We must keep in mind today that both the mountains and the valleys are parts of the whole in the Christian life. In fact, as we read through Luke, we will see several more instances where Jesus experienced wonderful ministry victories and encountered temptations as He was fulfilling God’s purpose. So, temptation will be a part of the Christian life. What are we to do with it?

Jesus is worthy of our fullest devotion. Luke qualitatively describes Jesus’ life. He does not write that Jesus was “filled” with the Spirit (temporary), but he pens that Jesus was “full of the Spirit”—as in, the Spirit was not going away. Therefore, theologically, God was moving in fullness through the life of Jesus. Christ Jesus was fully human and fully divine. Bottom line? Jesus is God in flesh, so we may follow Him without hesitancy because we have been given a Divine guide for our earthly pilgrimage (John 1:14). Why? Robert Stein writes, “Jesus’ victory over the devil thus resulted not simply because of his knowledge and use of the Scriptures (as in Matthew) but also because he was ‘full of the Spirit’” (NAC, 149). Too many times, we know the word of God but fail to withstand temptations because we lack the indwelling guidance of the Spirit.

Follow the Spirit’s lead. Luke also states, “Jesus was being led about,” meaning He was guided by the Spirit from here to there in the wilderness. This was something like a cruise ship buffet of temptation—tables of testing piled high and inviting. I’m glad that it was Him and not me, because this encounter with temptation lasted forty days. He was under constant bombardment by the devil throughout this time (“Being tempted”; cf. Hebrews 4:15). The devil tested Him with evil intent in mind. Indeed, the devil’s mantra was “Stop the mission before it ever begins!” Jesus’ praise response, however, was “Wherever He leads I’ll go.” He would not allow the devil to pull Him off the Divine mission-track into a winner-takes-all, wilderness throw-down (cf. Matthew 4:10). Luke has shown us that Jesus is “the Leader” and we may have full confidence in following Him.

The kitchen island in our home stands in the middle of everything that happens in that place. The gas stove top, double ovens, spice cabinet, pantry, refrigerator, and pots, pans, and dishes are all within easy reach. Oh! An abundance of goodies is placed there throughout the holidays. The island is filled with every sort of “temptation by sweetness” that one can imagine. I know this to be true because the annual temptation to overindulge in those treats has often been too much to resist! In fact, it is not too much of an exaggeration to state that I have metaphorically lived and died on that island several times! Truly, that fixture is not going away, nor are all our loving friends who give us treats each Christmas. What did I choose to do?

The phrase, “No man is an island,” led me to choose a healthier approach to the annual temptations presented to me. I added another influence, the voice of a physician, to my decision-making. Overindulgence in certain foods and sweets at my age had begun to adversely impact my health, so I chose to listen to and follow her counsel. Her encouraging guidance helped me to navigate the buffet of food and sweet temptations. 

Here is a spiritual reminder. Life with its temptations is not going away until Jesus returns. We know that just as our Savior was tempted on this island called “earth,” His followers will be tempted too. We may complete the prayer, “Lead us not into temptation,” with “Deliver us from evil,” knowing that we are living in this time when God has not yet finally eradicated evil in this world. He will do so, but not yet. In this in-between time, our path to ultimate victory has been blazed by the Savior. This Christian life is not about a test of the will with the devil, but a release of one’s will to the Heavenly Father each day. Therein is the victory.

1. Pause and write down the significant places in your Christian life where you have failed in temptation encounters. Look again at the way Jesus overcame His temptation experiences. The breakdown will likely be in some reluctance on your part to yield your will to the Heavenly Father. Do so today.

Make your prayer today, “Lord, if it is Your will, then lead me not into temptation; but if evil does come my way, then may Your Spirit deliver me from it.” Pause at the end of the day and journal the ways God answered this prayer.

2. For Families: Mom and Dad, this is a great lesson for our kids, too, isn’t it? As you hone your own temptation-resisting skills by releasing your will to God several times each day, share with your kids how God is helping you to avoid temptations.

Visit with your children at supper. Ask them to go around the table and share what is their greatest temptation. Lying? Stealing candy from the jar? Letting someone else get into trouble when it was not their fault? There could be many temptations your kids face each day. 

Discuss the best ways to respond: knowing temptation is something every Christian battles, watching what Jesus did, and surrendering ourselves to God. Pray together regularly for strength and victory as God grows your family members in this matter of overcoming personal temptation.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock