I was driving down a busy road when an 8-foot ice- cream cone approached in the oncoming traffic lane and then sailed past me. I blinked and checked my rearview mirror. The towering tribute to mint chocolate chip, an advertisement for a local restaurant, definitely tempted my sweet tooth!
No stranger to temptation, Jesus challenged His followers to stay alert and pray so that they would not give in to it (Matthew 26:41). He also reminded them that although “the spirit is willing . . . the body is weak.”
Jesus knew all about the weakness of our physical bodies, having endured a time of solitude and fasting in the wilderness (Luke 4:2). After 40 days of hunger, He was challenged by Satan to change a stone into bread. But Jesus used Scripture to resist the devil’s ploy (Luke 4:4).
Satan tried another tactic: lying. After showing Jesus all the world’s kingdoms, he said, “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them . . . because they are mine” (Luke 4:6). Huh? I don’t think so. Jesus is and was clearly in charge of the world (Colossians 1:16). Consider what He said about Satan and his lying ways (John 8:44).
Still, Satan exaggerated his power to try to coax Jesus into worshiping him. God’s Son resisted, saying: “You must worship the Lord your God” (Luke 4:8). After another failed attempt, Satan “left Him until the next opportunity came” (Luke 4:13).
Satan is always looking for His next chance to tempt us as well (1 Peter 5:8). That’s why we need to guard against weakness and isolation through accountability with fellow believers. We can also memorize Scripture that will help us face and defeat temptation. Then we’ll be equipped to resist the devil and send him packing (James 4:7).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 28:10-22
More:
Read Genesis 3:7-19 to see the original results of giving in to temptation. Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; see how God can help us endure it.
Next:
Why is temptation often more intense when we’re alone? Why do we sometimes give in to it, even when we have a clear view of right and wrong?
broccoli on January 18, 2012 at 5:07 am
thank you for this today. temptation comes in different ways for different people. recently, i have been plagued with thoughts of inferiority and how i am not good enough. i have been entertaining these thoughts as well and it has been making me feel really miserable. but i thank God that He has given me His Word to encourage me, to let me know that i am fearfully and wonderfully made and that i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
nivla on January 18, 2012 at 9:15 am
I am with you in this battle. In God there’s always hope and the very fact that we are His sons and daughters, it drives out all these negative emotions/feeling/mindset in me.
I am not what I or other people tell me I am, I am what God says I am!
jennifer benson schuldt on January 18, 2012 at 3:42 pm
broccoli,
Thank you for sharing your struggle. I think many of us have similar feelings, whether or not we reveal them to others. Although we may measure ourselves against others, it’s important to remember that God doesn’t look at us this way. He accepts and loves us all equally as His children, and He doesn’t play favorites (Acts 10:34). God’s unconditional love can provide shelter from discouraging thoughts that plague our hearts.
Praying for you today…
In Him,
Jen Schuldt
If you are interested in reading more on this topic, here’s a link to some RBC content on self-esteem:
http://web001.rbc.org/pdf/discovery-series/self-esteem-what-does-the-bible-say.pdf
Howard on January 18, 2012 at 6:27 am
With regard to your comments on Luke 4:6, what about John 14:30 and 16:11 where Jesus refers to satan as the ruler of this world (NASB)?
jennifer benson schuldt on January 18, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Good question, Howard.
Jesus does refer to satan as the ruler of this world, but it’s comforting to remember that Jesus also said, “Take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
In thinking on this topic, I turned to one of my favorite passages–in the beginning of Colossians. In it, we learn that Christ “is supreme over all creation” (Col. 1:15).
Also, through Jesus, God created “things we can’t see–such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world” (Col. 1:16) the devil seems to fit in that last category. Since Jesus is supreme over satan, and since satan has no power of Him, (Jesus said, “[the ruler of this world] has no power over me, in John 14:30.)
It seems safe to say that while the devil may have the title of “ruler of this world”, Jesus is the ultimate authority over satan and all of his “business” in our world. Praise the LORD for that. 🙂
lindagma on January 18, 2012 at 6:56 am
satan is ruler of this world only to the point that God allows…and we allow. If the world completely turned to God, Satan would have no power at all. We, as a people, have free will and too often, fall prey to satan’s temptations. But, there will come a time when satan will be bound and we will no longer be subject to his destructive ways.
jennifer benson schuldt on January 18, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Right on, lindagma. The Bible says, “The ruler of this world has already been judged” (John 16:11). Satan knows where he’s headed…
steven on January 18, 2012 at 8:03 am
Jesus is really amazing. Every time when i am lost, I can always find my answer in RBC, either daily strength, daily journey or daily bread.
It is so true that temptation comes in anyway, anyplace and anytime. We have to be alerted.
jennifer benson schuldt on January 18, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Hi Steven,
Thank you for your kind words about RBC Ministries. 🙂
You’re right–temptation can strike in any situation, at any time. I think this is one reason why a solid, regular walk with Christ is so important. Our schedules, emotions, thoughts, and desires are so changeable. But, forming a steady habit of reading and memorizing God’s Word, going to church, and praying help us to be able to “stand firm against all the strategies of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
I appreciated your comment!
nivla on January 18, 2012 at 9:19 am
amen, amen , amen…..
Let’s always put on the Armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18
hars0314 on January 18, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Amen, Nivla…sometimes I have to remind myself multiple times a day.
daisymarygoldr on January 18, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Very true; when we are alone we are most vulnerable to temptation. And although we know right and wrong, without any accountability, we readily give in to satisfy the lusts of our sinful nature. Without God’s truth, we tend to believe half-truths and get easily overpowered by worldly, lustful and prideful thoughts.
However, having godly people around us helps us censor those ungodly thoughts and replace them with the Word of God. At one point in my life, I had to move far away from home to attend school. There were times when due to long distance and lack of transport, it was not feasible to have the fellowship of the church. In such situations I made sure to always be part of a cell group.
Solomon observed the lonely man— who finds it all so meaningless and depressing. It is therefore wise to be in the company of friends who pray and defend us from the attacks of the enemy.
Memorization of scripture is very vital for victorious Christian living. Regardless of age we can commit to memory Bible passages. The elder who started the church back home, was in his thirties when he came to Christ from a pagan background. He is one living example of someone having verses at his fingertips. Some mnemonic tips that I found useful are:
Read it, write it, repeat it— to God in prayer and to others when we share, recall it whenever you find time on the road or at work, review it over in bed, remember to quote from memory the next day and the next… until they become part of who we are. People don’t have to do this but in my personal experience, swaying back and forth while reciting portions aloud, aids in retaining God’s word for the rest of our lives.
Thanks Jennifer for the reminder to guard against weakness and isolation in order to overcome temptations.
jennifer benson schuldt on January 18, 2012 at 4:14 pm
daisymarygoldr,
What a great reminder about memorizing scripture. It’s so important. This month, I have been thinking/writing a lot about scripture memorization. I really like the tips you posted for memorization, especially the “read it, write it, repeat it” idea. Can we add “post it” to the end of that sentence? I find it helpful to place scripture cards in areas where I spend the most time. Thanks for your message today!
conmeo on January 18, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Wow. Steven I am with you! What a great gift you all are. I have a real need for prayer. Please.I am lost.
jennifer benson schuldt on January 19, 2012 at 3:38 pm
conmeo,
I pray that you will look straight at Jesus in the moments when you are most tempted. I pray that you will take the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13) and not give in. I pray that one victory will lead to another and that you will be able to choose a godly path for your life. You are not beyond God’s help.
jennifer benson schuldt on January 19, 2012 at 3:42 pm
eduardo,
Thank you for the reminder about decisions and how they shape our future. I agree. It’s good to look at the big picture when we think about temptation. I wonder how many of us have been fooled by the thought, “I’ll just give in once. Just this once…”