SCRIPTURE
Matthew 4:1~2
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
OBSERVATION
I looked up the word “tempt” in the dictionary and Webster’s defines it as “to cause to be strongly inclined”. I don’t think people fully realize the power of the word “tempted,” that means for just one split second there was a maybe… Although God doesn’t tempt or cause people to be tempted, He does allow temptation to befall us so that we, like Christ, can decide which way we’ll choose. God’s sovereign purpose in allowing Jesus to be tempted was to show us that we can face temptation and overcome it.
APPLICATION
There have been times in my life when I’ve felt temptation pulling me to do things that I shouldn’t do or say things that I shouldn’t say and not all of the time have I had the strength to say “Be gone, Satan!” But realizing that Jesus, in his weakened condition (Dude, forty days without food or water? Think about how we are if we go without our Starbucks for a day or two), was able to face all manner of temptation and quote scripture to strengthen himself was inspiring.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, temptation is all around us ~ the Internet, television, books, people ~ things that can draw our attention away from You. Help me to focus on You so that I’ll never be found in a weakened state. And when I am feeling weak, give me strength. When I’m feeling fearful give me courage. Keep me in Your perfect will and under Your divine protection. Amen.
I’m joining with hundreds of other bloggers in studying God’s word through a program called Blogging Through The Gospels. If you would like to participate, all you have to do is grab your Bible, read the selected chapter and then write a post on your blog. Blogging Through the Gospels is hosted by Amy at Mom’s Toolbox. To link up your post or read her SOAP, go here.
For more information about SOAP and its use for the Blogging Through The Gospels, please read What is SOAP? on Mom’s Toolbox.
