It’s Tempting
You’re on a diet. Having dinner at Aunt Zoe’s house. “Another piece of pie? It’s your favorite – Dutch Apple.” “It’s tempting.” We’ve all been tempted to eat too much, or sleep too late, or any one of a dozen other minor temptations.
Jesus was tempted. Before beginning his work he spent forty days in the wilderness fasting. For forty days he was tempted by Satan. Matthew and Luke record only three specific temptations during that time. Why was Satan allowed to tempt Jesus?
It was necessary. Hebrews 2 explains: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. … he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Because he was tempted, he can help us when we are tempted. The temptation to eat an extra slice of Dutch Apple pie is minor. There are more serious temptations.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said …, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. ’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool! ’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Have you ever been tempted to be angry with another person or to call someone else a fool?
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. ’But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Have you ever been tempted with thoughts of improper behavior?
Jesus said, “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’” Have you ever been tempted to lie?
Is it possible to avoid yielding to temptation? In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul wrote, “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.”
God has provided the way to escape temptation. He has given us the Bible. The Bible is available to everyone. He has given the Holy Spirit to live within everyone who has yielded self to Jesus. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.
The first step in dealing with temptation is yielding your life fully to Jesus the Savior. That is followed by learning all you can about God’s standards of right and wrong and his desires for your life. You do that through reading and absorbing God’s Word. That is the beginning. You must then practice what you have learned. When you find yourself falling short, take your failure to God in confession. When you succeed praise God for your growing strength.
We have all been tempted. We have all fallen short of God’s standards. We have all sinned. By God’s grace we have been offered a Savior who has paid for our failures and the Holy Spirit to help us live as God has called us to live. We must seek and follow the Spirit’s guidance.
Always remember:
Only one life ‘twil soon be past;
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
A U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Rev. Dave Dupee is former Headmaster of an International Boarding School and is currently pastoring Fellowship Presbyterian Church (PCA) here in Newport.“
