I love a good candy bar, Caramello is probably my favorite. Or a nice cool York peppermint patty. I’m a bit ashamed to admit I had one of each yesterday :/
I love scrolling Facebook when I wind down for the evening. It’s a mindless way to chill.
I love shopping. Sometimes a trip to my favorite store is like a mini vacation. Other times I can do it right from the convenience of my couch in between those mindless Facebook scrolls. (Thanks Amazon)
What tempts you? Do your temptations feel impossible to resist? Maybe yours are a bit more serious, or maybe you also struggle with candy, shopping, and social media.
I came across a few verses I’ve probably read a dozen times, but today they struck me a little different.
“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.”
Luke 4:1-2 ESV
Here’s what I noticed this time around:
Jesus was full of the spirit. It is very hard to be full of the spirit when there’s no room! When we are emptied of ourselves, the spirit can enter.
Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness. He followed his calling. He followed the prompting. Have you ever felt a nudge and brushed it off or ignored it? Sadly, I have.
The last thing I noticed – “He ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.” Hmm, was He not hungry day one? For me, it would have been about 3 hours in… did He not realize he was hungry until he was done? Did the spirit occupy him that well? I don’t know? Maybe that’s just my interpretation but I thought it was interesting and it stuck out to me.
When we are empty of ourselves and full of the spirit, we can resist temptation just like Jesus. Maybe we won’t go a full 40 days with no food, but we CAN resist picking up our phone for the 20th time, or running to Kohls for the latest trends (super cute Vera Wang spring line btw)
For every one of the devil’s temptation , Jesus fought back with the word of God.
“The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’””
Luke 4:3-4 ESV
“And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’””
Luke 4:5-6, 8 ESV
“And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’””
Luke 4:9-12 ESV
If you are feeling tempted, follow the example given to us by Jesus.
*Empty yourself. Make room for the Holy Spirit.
*Follow the spirit’s lead.
*Fight your temptations with scripture.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV