PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 4:1-13
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Led by the Spirit into the wilderness where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” (Luke 4:1-2)
Jesus teaches us to pray “lead us not into temptation” (Matthew 6:13).
Why would God lead Jesus, or us, into a place where we will be tempted?
One lesson I have learned is that the word for ‘test’ and ‘tempt’ are the same.
The difference lies in the motivation of the one doing it.
A teacher is not tempting a student to fail when giving an exam.
They want the student to succeed, and give the exam to test their education.
Stores will test products to discern their weaknesses and make them stronger.
The devil saw this wilderness challenge as the perfect opportunity to break Jesus.
But God saw it as the perfect opportunity to make Jesus.
And the Spirit that led him also helped him during the test.
I believe we are in a time of testing, and the devil is trying to break us.
But the Spirit of God is leading us, helping us, making us stronger.
With Jesus, let us reaffirm our commitment to God in every test we face.
He beat the devil FOR us, he will also beat the devil WITH us.
PRAYER
Lord, I am not always aware of the devil’s scheme in the moment. Help me to realize when the moments of testing come, and to refuse his schemes with the same firmness as you!
Pleasure, power, and security – all things we strive for. Satan wants us to help ourselves – and ignore the creator – to not give honour to our provident God who loves us and desires that we willingly love Him. I’m often tempted to help myself and forget. Time and time again I learn that I need the blessing of my God – of Jesus love and companionship of the Spirit. Lord, I’m tempted at times and I turn my back on you – please don’t give up on me, but draw me back to you. Help me stand up to the testing – that I may persevere – looking only to you Lord Jesus – the author and perfecter of my faith!
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. I can not overcome sins on my own but need His strengthening power and wisdom and self-control. The Spirit helps me daily in my weakness and guides me and strengthens me in my testings. I need to be Spirit filled all the time so that I can live for Jesus.
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Melt me mold me
Fill me use me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me