Resisting Temptation

My Utmost For His Highest

'It was not death on the cross that Jesus agonized over in Gethsemane. In fact, He stated very emphatically that He came with the purpose of dying. His concern here was that He might not get through this struggle as the Son of Man. He was confident of getting through it as the Son of God— Satan could not touch Him there. But Satan’s assault was that our Lord would come through for us on His own solely as the Son of Man. If Jesus had done that, He could not have been our Savior.’ CHAMBERS

The celebration of Jesus’ resurrection is this next Sunday. We all rejoice that ‘HE IS RISEN’.  In Him we have eternal life because of His victory over death and the grave.  But what I want to focus on is the temptations He faced before He went to the cross.  Satan never tempted His heavenly nature … Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (James 1:13-14)

So Jesus was tempted just as we are tempted, in His human nature.  Do you struggle with temptation?  How is your track record with resisting it?  ‘No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Does knowing that what you are faced with is not unique?  Some?  But that doesn’t help you resist the temptation and let it take its natural course which leads to sin, does it?  When Jesus was tempted in the desert He responded to Satan with the Word …

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.' " Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU,' and, IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR YOU UP, LEST YOU DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' " Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD.' " Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY YOU SHALL SERVE.' " (Matthew 4:4-10)

Jesus is the Word … if we want the word to abide in us then we need to abide in Him … ‘[…] Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:3-5)

Psalm 119:11 “Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

When we are tempted, and we will be, we must respond with the Word.  If the Word is not in you, you are living this new life unarmed .. and you, my friend, are in trouble when trouble comes.  Read the Word (Joshua 1:8) and stand against temptation.

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)