As a progressive, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to God – this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
In the 1970s, comedian Flip Wilson made “The devil made me do it” a national catchphrase. As host of his own TV variety show, Flip Wilson created a recurring character named Geraldine. And every time her husband accused her of doing something wrong, whether it was buying a dress that was too expensive, or crashing the car into the side of the church, her excuse was always the same: “It wasn’t me. The devil made me do it!”
Many of us grew up hearing that catchphrase. We’d say it when we’d get in trouble, as an excuse. It was an excuse to blame the devil for “making” us do something wrong. Or many of us grew up imagining the devil as a little guy wearing a red suit, with a pitchfork, sitting on our left shoulder, whispering in our ear. And at the same time, there’s a little angel perched on our right shoulder, trying to counteract whatever temptation the devil is whispering to us. And in the cartoons, the devil usually won.
Let me ask you some questions. Is that how temptation works? Is the devil really equally as powerful as God? Can he “make” us do anything we don’t want to do? The short answer is no.
In I John 4:4 we clearly read that the One who is in us is greater than the one that is in the world. The truth is, the devil, if you even believe in the devil, doesn’t have any power over us. You have the power, no one else.
Will you ever be tempted? Of course. Can the tempter be persuasive? Yes. And so can our mind; we can rationalize anything, can’t we.
Let’s look at Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus was just coming off a spiritual high point in his life. He had just been baptized. The Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove, and he heard God’s voice saying, “This is my beloved son; with him I am well pleased.” And right after this, Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted.” From a high point to a really difficult time. From victory to trial by fire. Sound familiar?
I’d like to look at three points that Rev. J. Jackson shares in a bible study he created.
Point 1: God doesn’t tempt, but God may test.
Point 2: The greatest defense against temptation is the Word of God.
Point 3: When we resist, the temptation flees and God’s Spirit strengthens us.
Let’s look at the first point: God doesn’t tempt us, but God may test us.
James 1:13 says: “No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and God tempts no one.” So why would the Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted? Let’s go back a few verses in James 1 to verse 2 where we read: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”
When we are tested, it produces endurance or perseverance. Now, perseverance isn’t just a nice sounding quality we’d like to have, it’s an essential one. It helps us be strong, mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If that’s a wonderful quality to have in our lives, and our loving God wants the best for each of us, so it’s not surprising that God may give to us those opportunities to produce that quality in us.
When I’m going through what seem to be lesson-learning time in my life I say out loud, “Dan, learn your lessons well so you don’t have to repeat them; sometimes over and over and over again. And I don’t know about you, but every teacher I’ve had tested me, right? Now, there are two types of teachers; those who tested us to reinforce what we knew, and those who tested us to try to trip us up on what we didn’t know? Think about how you understand the character of God; which kind of test giver is God? God doesn’t tempt, but God may test.
The second point is: The primary defense against temptation is God’s Word.
Let’s look at our reading again. First, there was the temptation of physical needs. Jesus was hungry; in fact, we read he was famished, so the temptation was to make the stones become bread!
Second, there was the temptation to take a short cut. Jesus knew he had to go to Jerusalem, suffer and be killed. The temptation was to just skip that part; taking away the dramatic display of God’s power and the message of God’s love through Jesus.
Third, there was the temptation of power.
Jesus responded to every one of these temptations with Scripture. Jesus had studied and made God’s promises part of his being. He had them in his heart. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet.” Scripture and God’s promises are the primary defense against temptation.
The final point is: When we resist, the temptation flees and God’s Spirit strengthens us.
Our reading ends with, “Then the devil left Jesus, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.” James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
I like that word “flee.” I can think of some other words; skedaddle! Get the heck outta Dodge! Scram! Run for your life! And finally, good riddance! Hasta la vista, baby!
I did a search for some temptation quotes and there were many I was tempted to share with you, but they’d just lead us astray, so here are a couple that I will close with.
“Flee temptation and don’t leave a forwarding address.” Anonymous
“Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.” Anonymous
And how appropriate, this line from the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, “… and lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil …” Jesus
We say this prayer every week here, so next time you are saying this out loud, listen to what you’re saying.
There are so many practical things we can do to resist temptation. Surround yourself with a strong support system; a small group study is a very good start. You don’t have to go through it alone. And study and learn God’s promises for you, and then stand on those promises. My mom’s favorite was, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” You go mom!
