+DEV+ In the Desert

Date: August 28, 2013 10:22 PM
Topic: +DEV+  In the Desert

In the Desert

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. ...he will also provide a way out ...."  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Scripture Focus: Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4, Mark 1

Luke's account of Christ's temptation by Satan opens with these words: "Jesus ... was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil." The Judean wilderness where Jesus was taken is foreboding, hot and dangerous. Why would the Spirit bring Him there? And why should He be tempted?

In that desolate place Jesus faced Satan head-on without being able to find His strength in water or food, in others who'd rescue Him, or in His accomplishments (all things we value). However, where He did find His strength to overcome temptation was in listening to God's Truth.

God knew we would all face the same tempter and that he would entice us to follow him, rather than righteousness. If we were going to be able to know victory over Satan, Jesus would need to defeat him completely. By relying on and using the Truth of God's Word, He did. And we can, too! In any temptation we face, our strength comes by listening to God's voice of Truth through the Bible. No other voice will do.

Insight: By listening only to the Father's Truth, Jesus regained what Adam and Eve lost when they listened to Satan's lies: Life.




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