Live 4 The LORD

​READ

4  And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit 2  for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4  And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ ” 5 And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6  and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours.” 8  And Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘You shall worship the Lord your God,

and him only shall you serve.’ ”

9 And he took him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; 10  for it is written,

‘He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,’

11 and

‘On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”

12  And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” 13  And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.  (Luke 4:1–13, RSV2CE)

REFLECTION

I am to imitate Jesus. I am to fight sin like He teaches. 

The Holy Spirit leads me into a desert to fight. This is a God driven design not something happening out of his purview. Fighting evil and sin is part of all lives. 

The first temptation is to satisfy myself with material things over what God has provided. The devil wants me to use my powers to satisfy my desire to have what I want. I do not live by material provisions, I must choose to live by God’s provisions, even if I lack there is a reason. TRUST GOD 

The second temptation is to satisfy myself with power and glory over others. The devil wants me to satisfy my desire to be better than others and in control. Instead of wanting others to worship me, I must choose to worship God and serve Him in whatever He calls me to do or places me. Control belongs to God, He sees all and knows best what is for me and others. TRUST GOD 

The third temptation is to make me doubt who I am. The devil implies that If I am who I say I am (child of God), force God to make a move and prove it to others. He even uses the Word of God to manipulate my thoughts. I am not to tempt God or force and manipulate Him. I am to have childlike trust in His care. If suffering is allowed, He can make good out of it. TRUST GOD

Because Jesus uses the Word of God to refute temptation, the devil uses it to prove he is right in leading you to sin. The devil never will stop. He will keep coming back at different times. I must always be in a TRUST GOD mode no matter what comes. 

RESOLUTION

Jesus, the design of life is to fight our temptation and sin by Trusting You. The devil never stops. This is not something abnormal. I must keep my eyes on you and pray. Prayer keeps me in touch. Help me to TRUST in all circumstances. The devil distorts my thoughts about my circumstances trying to make me see God as an adversary instead of my savior. He is my provider, He is the orchestrator of my life, He is my safety. I must TRUST that all is happening is for my benefit even if it is painful and lack. He knows what He is doing. 

REST

I confess I do not like pain, I do not like lack, I do not like not being in control (which I actually never am), I do not like feeling unsafe. Help me let go of these temptations and TRUST. I want to rest in your love and care. Help me forsake ALL sin that makes me feel satisfied, in control, and safe. It is a destroying lie from the devil separating me from you! Help me learn to fight well. I TRUST YOU!! Amen.