"Stand In The Temptation"

"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."  Matthew 4:4

Jesus had just fasted for forty days and forty nights.  The Bible says that He was hungry after the fast.  It also tells us that the devil came to tempt Him to turn stones into bread so He could eat.  

Did you notice when the devil came to tempt Jesus?  He came to tempt Him after the fast was over, after Jesus hadn't eaten in forty days, after He was hungry.  He came to Jesus at a weak point.  Jesus was physically weak, and hungry, from having gone without food for forty days.  

This is when the devil will come to us also.  When we are at a weak point.  Remember, he is our enemy.  He doesn't play fair.  He doesn't show us any mercy.  He doesn't wait until you get up off the mat to hit you again.  He hits you while you are down.  He doesn't wait for you to gain your strength back either.  The Bible says he roams throughout the whole earth seeking whom he may devour.  That means he is constantly on the lookout for an opportunity to tempt you so that he can destroy you.  

"Every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).  Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death." (James 1:14,15- Amplified Bible) How does satan tempt us? Through the lust and desires of the flesh.  He knows that if he can get us to take the bait, then it will cause us to sin, and sin will lead to death.  He looks for those weak moments in our flesh that he can entice us with.

So, what are we to do?  How do we stand against the enemy when he comes to tempt us, especially when we are already in a weakened condition?  You face him the same way Jesus did.  What was Jesus's response to the devil? "Man cannot live by bread only, but by every word that comes from God." You pick up your sword (the Word of God- Ephesians 6:17) and stand against him.  "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword."  (Hebrews 4:12)  You can't fight him in your own flesh.  It's not a battle against flesh and blood.  "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  (Ephesians 6:12)     

Through Jesus's time of temptation in the wilderness, He showed us:

1)  We will be tempted.  None of us are above being tempted.  Even Jesus was tempted.  ("Then was Jesus...tempted of the devil")

2)  We will be tempted when we are at a low point.  ("Afterwards, He was hungry.")

3)  We don't have to give in to the temptation.  ("Man shall not live by bread alone.")

4)  There is a way of escape and victory over the temptation.  ("It is written.")

Being tempted is not a sin.  It's when we give into it, that it becomes sin.  But God has provided a way of escape for us in every temptation. God loves you.  He doesn't want you to be destroyed by the temptation. He has given us everything we need to be able to stand against the enemy and resist the temptation.  He even gave us an example to follow...Jesus.

Have a great day.  There is a way of escape and victory in the temptation.