THE SPIRIT LED HIM TO BE TEMPTED

SPIRIT LED HIM TO BE TEMPTED                    Saturday June 13, 2015

Text: Matthew 4:1 – 11                                    Memory verse: v 1  

God does and allows everything for a purpose. Deuteronomy 8:2 says that God led Israel into the wilderness to humble and test them; to see whether or not His people would really obey Him. A person has not shown true obedience if he or she has never had an opportunity to disobey but didn’t. This temptation of Jesus really showed that He is the Son of God. He was able to overcome the devil and his temptations. Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted because that is the way to prove that He is the Son of God. Most temptations are allowed by the Spirit to see how much we love God. Your ability to resist temptations of the devil is determined by the level of the word of God in you.  

When temptations seem especially strong, or when you think you can rationalize giving in, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God’s purposes for your life or for someone else’s life. Jesus wasn’t tempted inside the Temple or at his baptism but in the wilderness, where he was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable—when we are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty). He also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride.  We must guard at all times against his attacks by watching and praying.

Food for Thought: 1 Peter 5:9.

Prayer: God, I know that when I overcome temptation, there is a reward for me. Grant me the grace never to yield into any temptation.