Don’t Take The Bait

We all experience times of temptation in life. Temptations are not always about sexual immorality or lust for money. Temptations come in many forms and the goal of “the tempter” is to get us to disobey or rebel against the truth of God. Temptations can be very subtle and can catch us off guard. Even Jesus was tempted 3 times by satan in the wilderness.  

In Matthew 4:1-11, we see how Jesus responded to the temptation with truth. “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” 

The devil tries to appeal to our carnal human desires. When we submit ourselves to God and His desires fill our hearts, we are equipped to respond as Jesus did. We will speak the word of God and do the will of our Heavenly Father. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, fill me with Your heart and desires that I would walk in Your ways. Thank you for guiding my steps and keeping me from the snare of the enemy.