April 26th, 2025
by Rose Marie Abraham
by Rose Marie Abraham
When the Tempter Comes: Navigating Life's Challenges with Faith
In our journey through life, we all face moments of temptation. These moments can be subtle or overwhelming, but they invariably test our character and faith. The story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness provides profound insights into how we can handle our own struggles with temptation.
The Wilderness Experience
Imagine being led into a desolate place, fasting for 40 days and nights. This was Jesus' experience immediately after his baptism. In our lives, we too face "wilderness" moments - times of isolation, hunger (both physical and spiritual), and vulnerability. It's in these moments that temptation often strikes hardest.
The Nature of Temptation
Temptation is the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. It's marked by an insatiable urge or strong impulse. The tempter often targets our areas of greatest weakness, and those with the strongest spiritual sensitivity may face the most intense temptations.
Three Strategies for Overcoming Temptation
1. Remind the Tempter of Spiritual Truth
When faced with temptation, our first line of defense is the Word of God. Jesus countered each temptation by quoting scripture: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." This reminds us of the importance of knowing and internalizing scripture.
We must hide God's Word in our hearts, as the Psalmist says, so that we might not sin against Him. When temptation comes, we can remind ourselves (and the tempter) of truths like:
- "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world."
- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
- "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
2. Resist the Tempter
James 4:7 tells us, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Resistance involves not engaging in negotiation or debate with temptation. As the old saying goes, "If you lay down with dogs, you're going to get up with fleas." We must maintain a safe distance from temptation.
Resistance also means recognizing the "interval of choice" - that moment between the tempting thought and the resulting action. In this interval, we have the power to make a decision. Will we give in to temptation, or will we stand firm in our faith?
3. Rebuke the Tempter
Sometimes, we need to take a firm stand against temptation. Jesus demonstrated this when he said, "Get behind me, Satan!" There comes a point where we must be forceful in our rejection of temptation, declaring our allegiance to God alone.
The Power of God's Promises
In moments of temptation, we can draw strength from God's promises. 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us that "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
This promise reminds us that we're not alone in our struggles. God understands our temptations and provides the strength to overcome them.
The Danger of Isolation
Temptation often strikes hardest when we're isolated. The enemy, like a lion, seeks to separate us from the herd. This is why community is so crucial in our spiritual lives. We need fellow believers who can pray for us, support us, and hold us accountable.
Hebrews 10:25 encourages us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
The True Source of Fulfillment
One of the most insidious aspects of temptation is its promise of fulfillment. The tempter showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, offering him glory and power. But Jesus, as the creator of all things, knew that true fulfillment comes only from God.
In our lives, we may be tempted by wealth, fame, or pleasure. But like Jesus, we must recognize that these things are ultimately empty compared to the richness of a relationship with God. As Psalm 37:4 reminds us, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
The Interval of Choice
One of the most powerful concepts to grasp in dealing with temptation is the "interval of choice." This is the moment between the tempting thought and our action. In this interval, we have the power to make a decision. Will we give in to temptation, or will we stand firm in our faith?
Recognizing this interval gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and make a conscious choice. It's in this moment that we can call on God for strength, remind ourselves of His Word, and choose the path of righteousness.
Conclusion: The Power of Calling on Jesus
In our moments of greatest temptation, we have a powerful resource: the name of Jesus. We serve a Savior who understands our struggles, having been "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
When temptation comes, we can call on Jesus. He is our Good Shepherd, the one who knows us by name and leads us in paths of righteousness. He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer.
As we face life's temptations, let us remember to remind the tempter of God's truth, resist his advances, and rebuke him in Jesus' name. Let us draw strength from God's promises, seek support from our faith community, and always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
In every moment of temptation, we have a choice. May we choose wisely, relying not on our own strength, but on the power of God working within us. For it is He who is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 1:24).
Let us stand firm in faith, confident in the knowledge that no temptation is too great for those who trust in the Lord. For in Christ, we are more than conquerors.
In our journey through life, we all face moments of temptation. These moments can be subtle or overwhelming, but they invariably test our character and faith. The story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness provides profound insights into how we can handle our own struggles with temptation.
The Wilderness Experience
Imagine being led into a desolate place, fasting for 40 days and nights. This was Jesus' experience immediately after his baptism. In our lives, we too face "wilderness" moments - times of isolation, hunger (both physical and spiritual), and vulnerability. It's in these moments that temptation often strikes hardest.
The Nature of Temptation
Temptation is the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. It's marked by an insatiable urge or strong impulse. The tempter often targets our areas of greatest weakness, and those with the strongest spiritual sensitivity may face the most intense temptations.
Three Strategies for Overcoming Temptation
1. Remind the Tempter of Spiritual Truth
When faced with temptation, our first line of defense is the Word of God. Jesus countered each temptation by quoting scripture: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." This reminds us of the importance of knowing and internalizing scripture.
We must hide God's Word in our hearts, as the Psalmist says, so that we might not sin against Him. When temptation comes, we can remind ourselves (and the tempter) of truths like:
- "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world."
- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
- "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
2. Resist the Tempter
James 4:7 tells us, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Resistance involves not engaging in negotiation or debate with temptation. As the old saying goes, "If you lay down with dogs, you're going to get up with fleas." We must maintain a safe distance from temptation.
Resistance also means recognizing the "interval of choice" - that moment between the tempting thought and the resulting action. In this interval, we have the power to make a decision. Will we give in to temptation, or will we stand firm in our faith?
3. Rebuke the Tempter
Sometimes, we need to take a firm stand against temptation. Jesus demonstrated this when he said, "Get behind me, Satan!" There comes a point where we must be forceful in our rejection of temptation, declaring our allegiance to God alone.
The Power of God's Promises
In moments of temptation, we can draw strength from God's promises. 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us that "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
This promise reminds us that we're not alone in our struggles. God understands our temptations and provides the strength to overcome them.
The Danger of Isolation
Temptation often strikes hardest when we're isolated. The enemy, like a lion, seeks to separate us from the herd. This is why community is so crucial in our spiritual lives. We need fellow believers who can pray for us, support us, and hold us accountable.
Hebrews 10:25 encourages us, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
The True Source of Fulfillment
One of the most insidious aspects of temptation is its promise of fulfillment. The tempter showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, offering him glory and power. But Jesus, as the creator of all things, knew that true fulfillment comes only from God.
In our lives, we may be tempted by wealth, fame, or pleasure. But like Jesus, we must recognize that these things are ultimately empty compared to the richness of a relationship with God. As Psalm 37:4 reminds us, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
The Interval of Choice
One of the most powerful concepts to grasp in dealing with temptation is the "interval of choice." This is the moment between the tempting thought and our action. In this interval, we have the power to make a decision. Will we give in to temptation, or will we stand firm in our faith?
Recognizing this interval gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and make a conscious choice. It's in this moment that we can call on God for strength, remind ourselves of His Word, and choose the path of righteousness.
Conclusion: The Power of Calling on Jesus
In our moments of greatest temptation, we have a powerful resource: the name of Jesus. We serve a Savior who understands our struggles, having been "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
When temptation comes, we can call on Jesus. He is our Good Shepherd, the one who knows us by name and leads us in paths of righteousness. He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer.
As we face life's temptations, let us remember to remind the tempter of God's truth, resist his advances, and rebuke him in Jesus' name. Let us draw strength from God's promises, seek support from our faith community, and always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
In every moment of temptation, we have a choice. May we choose wisely, relying not on our own strength, but on the power of God working within us. For it is He who is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 1:24).
Let us stand firm in faith, confident in the knowledge that no temptation is too great for those who trust in the Lord. For in Christ, we are more than conquerors.
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