Every day we are in trouble because of the forces of evil that would disquiet us and take away our faith. This trouble often comes in the form of temptation. This is the idea that for reasons not completely understood individuals will have the notion or idea to do something that they know is wrong, that goes against their conscience, and violates the principles of scripture.
We are not alone in this matter. In the Bible there are many examples of individuals being tempted, and as they fell the consequences were ruinous. Eve in the Garden of Eden, King David and Bethsheba come to mind immediately. The most outstanding, however, is the arrogant attempt on the part of satan to dissuade Jesus from his task of salvation. Why this is so important has to do with the fact that the narrative holds in its details an antidote for the sickness of temptation.
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4 Jesus answered, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" {Deut. 8:3} 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" {6 Psalm 91:11,12} 7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" {7 Deut. 6:16} 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" {Deut. 6:13} 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
In each case the Lord turned away the arrogant temptations by using the power of the inspired word. The devil is powerless in the presence of the Word of God. Try as he may to disquiet, destroy, and tear down the hope of God's children he is no longer able to do so when confronted with the fact of his being overpowered by the righteousness of Jesus.
This is a great comfort and encouragement for me, and for everyone else, as each day passes with its many and various temptations. To stay the course, to stand up under the pressure of the temptations of the devil, we may take refuge in the word of God and find complete solace and sanctuary in what has been written in the Bible for our learning. May you be encouraged to get to know the Word of God better.
Comments