Don’t Tempt Me

January 16

(Luke 4:1-2 NIV) “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, {2} where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.”

(Hebrews 4:13-16 NIV) "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. {14} Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. {15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. {16} Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Temptation comes in many packages today: money, sex, power, and greed. A host of lesser motivations can also take their toll on our integrity. Whatever the temptation, its purpose is to draw us away from the Lord. Even surrender to minor temptations can add up over a period of time and our spiritual legs can give out. Or they can take us down paths that distance us from God. In this world, temptation is guaranteed. Even Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was tempted. He was wooed by its seductive power, but was victorious… and in His victory, there are some lessons for us. When temptation came, Jesus was ready. We too, can be prepared for temptation, if we understand its nature and develop strategies to help us overcome. Meditate on this today: We can say, “Don’t tempt me!”, but it won’t work. If the Son of God did not escape temptation, neither will we. Get ready! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day