[Jessica Jagerson]

MATTHEW 4 – THE TEMPTATION

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:5-7)

What greater example of overcoming temptation than the one demonstrated by the incarnate God, himself?

Jesus is in the wilderness; he has been fasting for 40 days. At Jesus’s weakest moment, the tempter, satan, is there to tempt Him with physical satisfaction, worldly glory, and global rulership; something the devil could only offer for a season.

Does Jesus yield to the tempters’ request? NO! Jesus responds, “thy shall not tempt the Lord your God”… and, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”!

No matter what deceptive plan satan devised, Jesus would not falter. Jesus would not sin against the Lord. Why may you ask? Because it was impossible for Jesus to sin. For the Lords, nature was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” Hebrews 7:26 It would be easy to say, “Well, I’m not Jesus. I sin all the time. So, what does it matter?” We must remember that through Christ’s sacrifice we are empowered by the same Holy Spirit that empowered Christ to face temptation and choose to do the right thing.

CHALLENGE

Are you at a place where your temptation seems to be insurmountable? Jesus was there. Do you feel overwhelmed by your trials and tribulations, Jesus is there! Never forget, no matter how big the mountain is, no matter how deep the ocean may feel, Jesus is right there for you 1 John 5:4 “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

[Amy Hastings]

I believe I sometimes feel like I am at a place where my temptations seem to be insurmountable because some of my temptations feel as if they are close to impossible to reach. But I do know Jesus is there and it makes me believe a lot more that my temptations or goals are reachable through him and his guidance. I can proudly say Jesus has gotten me through so many things I thought would be impossible for me. I also do agree that no matter what we’re going through he will be here for us all and that if I reach high enough to achieve my goals that they will be achieved because of Jesus.

[Jacob Mannon]

Temptation of sin is the biggest struggle that all people go through. There are times when I feel like giving in, but then I remember the things in my life that the Lord has brought me through. Knowing that the Lord is with me when I am struggling helps to overcome temptation. Psalm 23 is a great reminder that the Lord is with us in our best times as well as our worst. He is our guide and teacher. He is the One who brings us restoration. Even when we may be struggling to a point death, He is still with us. These lessons from Psalm 23 are things that I keep in mind when I personally struggle.

-Jacob

[Jason Springer]

I really needed this devotional this week because I’m working on overcoming a couple of different addictions to things that are doing more harm to me rather than helping. But I’ve noticed that in these times I’m not thinking about His word so I need to seek help from Jesus through the word as I continue through these trials because He’s with me through it all.

[Braden Binegar]

Sometimes I wish that temptation never existed so that humanity could live in true peace without being a puppet to sing and having it pull the strings around our limbs. Thank God Jesus came back to cut those strings but still those strings still linger and taunt our mind thus what temptation is.

[Author]

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