| Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
“Then, Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.” Luke 4:1-2
Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to deal with temptation in His life. If Jesus battled temptation from the enemy, then we are going to deal with temptation as well. What is temptation? Temptation is anything that entices us to disobey God’s Word in our lives. Temptation can come from three sources: The culture or world we live in that is opposed to God and His Word. Our flesh – our sinful desires that are in our hearts and mind. The devil – is always trying to get us to disobey God and His Word.
No one is exempt from temptation! Temptation is not a sin! When we give into temptation, that is sin! So when you go through temptation, you must obey God or disobey! Our response will strengthen us or weaken us if we disobey God! The choice is up to each of us!
Jesus overcame the temptations in the wilderness because He was filled with the Holy Spirit! If we are going to defeat temptation, then we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit as well!
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us: “NO temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
The way of escape is the presence, peace, and power of the Holy Spirit!
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and Your Word so that I can defeat temptation before temptation defeats me!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the Lead Senior Pastor of the International Christian Church (ICC) at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is getting rave reviews. His devotionals appear daily in this publication.
