“A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is… A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.” ~ C. S. Lewis
We are currently in the Easter season. This time of the year reminds us of the days leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus experienced temptation the same way all of us experience temptation. Adam failed to avoid temptation, and Jesus never fell prey. When temptation finds us, are we going to follow Adam or Jesus? With the aid of the Holy Spirit, Kingdom people can overcome any temptation and avoid the oppression and penalty of sin.
We wear the emblem of the cross around our necks, but will we follow Jesus when the fire of temptation is burning our flesh, or we turn and go the other way. Many of the disciples stood at the turning point and decided to follow Jesus no more. The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan failed to tempt Jesus and was unable to kill Jesus. On the third day, Jesus rose, claiming victory over sin and death, once and for all. The principalities and powers of this world will attempt to derail us spiritually. We must remember, Jesus came to this earth, for this reason, to give up His life to save the world from the power of sin and death. He took away the sin of the world, paving the way for victory over death and the cunning, baffling, and powerful effects of sin in our lives. Thank You, Jesus, for saving the world and giving us VIP status in the kingdom of God.
Scripture Readings
Reflection Questions
- What did you take away from today’s reflection and scripture readings?
- Do you feel powerless over sin?
- How do you avoid temptation?
- Will we ever get to a place in this life free of temptation?
- Why didn’t Satan know that Jesus would rise three days later?
- What must we do when temptation is breaking down our door?
Lord, You were victorious over death and the power of sin. Thank You for Your willingness to give up Your life to salvation for humanity and all of creation. Please help me never to forget the cross and resurrection during my times of great temptation. Please grant me the strength to lean on the Holy Spirit to have victory over sin the same way You had victory over sin. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will not mine, always materialize, now and forever, Amen.
Donna Bondurant says
Answering question 4; Will we ever get to a place in this life free of temptation? I believe the closer we get to God and bring glory to Him in any way shape or form the more Satan attacks us and temps us, trying to stop that from happening. Satan will fill your head with all kinds of reasons his ways are the best!
Harold Long says
Amen. The process of sanctification makes us Holy. John Wesley argued that we could be free of sin and experience holiness on this side of heaven. There is nothing on record that I know of if he ever claimed to experience that, but he definitely believed it was possible. What I do know for sure, is that we will not be in the presence of God until we are holy, because God is holy. That process of being made holy starts now for kingdom people, and most likely be completed on the other side of this life. The bible is not clear on what this process looks like, but it says it will happen.
1 Peter makes it clear that we are to be made Holy.
1 Peter 1:14-16
Common English Bible
14 Don’t be conformed to your former desires, those that shaped you when you were ignorant. But, as obedient children, 15, you must be holy in every aspect of your lives, just as the one who called you is holy. 16 It is written, You will be holy because I am holy.
This next scripture reminds us that we must be purified to be made Holy. It’s not punishment; it is just the process of being cleansed and made Holy, so we are suited to be in the present with God.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Common English Bible
12 So, whether someone builds on top of the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, or hay, 13 each one’s work will be clearly shown. The day will make it clear, because it will be revealed with fire—the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work survives, they’ll get a reward. 15 But if anyone’s work goes up in flames, they’ll lose it. However, they themselves will be saved as if they had gone through a fire.
Being made holy and in the presence of God is something every believer can look forward to and not fear. Jesus paid it all on the cross, so we are acquitted and perfect in the eyes of God because of the blood of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
Common English Bible
6 So we are always confident because we know that while we are living in the body, we are away from our home with the Lord. 7 We live by faith and not by sight. 8 We are confident, and we would prefer to leave the body and to be at home with the Lord.