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temptation

Resisting Temptation

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“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”
Matthew 4:10-11 NLT



Christ_In_Wilderness “No matter how hard I try, I simply can’t resist (fill in the blank)!” We’re all tempted at some point in life. But, are we really powerless to resist temptation? Perhaps you think, we’re only human; only God can resist temptation, and He’s never tempted because He’s God. And how’s He going to help anyway? He’s not the one facing the temptations that I am. How can He possible understand? Read today’s Dose verses.

Jesus was tempted in His human form. We read in Matthew 4:1, “…Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”  Jesus understands when we are tempted in our place of “wilderness” because he was tempted in just such a place for forty days and nights. This was no fleeting temptation either– it was a long time.

Jesus fasted during His time in the wilderness and became really hungry. The devil tried to get Jesus to turn some stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. But Jesus told him no. “People do not live by bread alone, but by every wordTemptation_of_Christ that comes from the mouth of God”. Matthew 4:4, NLT Jesus understands very well the physical desires, which tempt us.

Following that failed try, the devil tempted Jesus to show off His power, enticing Him to jump from a high place and instruct angels to protect Him from harm. Jesus told him “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God’”. Matthew 4:7 NLT Jesus understands our temptation to impress others with our power, status and achievements.

Finally, the devil offered Jesus the entire world if He would only kneel and worship him. The final response that Jesus gave the devil during these temptations was to go away from Him and the devil did just that. Then, angels came and met Jesus’ needs. Jesus understands our temptation for significance and possessions.

God clearly understands our temptations; He resisted every form of human temptation without fail!

_Jesus_Denying_SatanThe devil and his angels will try to tempt us in our most vulnerable areas when we pursue Christ. He’ll misquote God’s words. Don’t be surprised by it. Be encouraged that Jesus showed us how to resist temptation. It’s by properly applying the word of God and humility! They make the devil go away!

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NLT

By grace through faith,

Rita

Stop this Crazy Thing!

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“Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, …”

Matthew 24:4, NLT

State_Fair_RideMy daughter wanted me to go on a ride with her at the state fair. “I don’t know about that, girlie”, I said. “Those kinds of rides make Mommy’s head feel weird, maybe you should ask daddy”. “Come on Mommy, pleeeeease, just go once and I won’t ask you anymore!”

Hubby chimes in, “You can do it. Go on the ride with her. How bad can it be?” But it wasn’t any ol’ ride; it was a twisting, spinning, and ridiculously fast ride—just the kind my body doesn’t handle well anymore. (Did daughter know that going in, hmm?)  I rationalized the thing. “Maybe this time will be different and I won’t feel lightheaded and nauseous when it’s over. I’m doing it for my girl. I want her to have a good time today so, I’m going to bite the bullet and do it for her!”

It was a standup ride that required you to be buckled with your back to the wall so you’re facing the middle; much like a salad once you’ve spun it and it’s all sticking to the inside wall of the bowl. There was only one other parent on the thing and that should have been my hint to cut and run! I pulled my belt extra tight, just in case. The ride began to spin and I glanced left ever so briefly to look at my daughter’s happy little face, full of joy and anticipation. My hands were so tight around the handlebars that you’d think they were super glued on! The ride spun and twisted and bumped my sore knees up and down, faster, and faster, until I thought I would never make it through that thing! As I faced those wildly happy, screaming, kiddos, and hubby’s slightly sinister, laughing face, on each revolution, I tried to keep a neutral expression to belie my true feelings about the ride. But, I knew they sensed my pitiful fear! I prayed, “Stop this crazy thing, Lord, pleeeease!” When it finally stopped, I couldn’t wait to get out. “Never again!”

Many times we allow ourselves to be led into situations that last too long and get worse before getting better. Jesus warns us not to be misled. He gives us Holy Spirit power to resist temptation and prevent situations where we find ourselves crying, “Stop this crazy thing, I want to get off!”

By grace through faith,

Rita