Sunday, April 7, 2019

“Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him.” ~Matthew 4:1

The Meaning of Temptation:

• a strong urge or desire to have or do something

• something that causes a strong urge or desire to have or do something and especially something that is bad, wrong, or unwise

• the act of considering or causing to consider doing something wrong or unwise

• a cause or occasion of enticement

Our author, Juan Huertas points out in today’s reading that no one really likes talking about temptation. On the rare occasions that we do have conversations about temptation, we clump them in the following categories: uncomfortable, judgmental, denial. My personal opinion and observation is that some of us sway in and out of the categories at different stages in our lives, not to mention where we are spiritually. We should be able to talk about temptation without being judgmental of others, the truth is we all experience temptation including Jesus. Our scripture verse is story of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. No one is exempt from it, and just because we give into a temptation all is not lost! We are covered by the “GRACE” of Jesus Christ. To all those pointing fingers and talking about how awful it is to be drug down into temptation, please take a deep breath and remember, “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus.” ~Romans 3:23-24

Temptation comes in a wide variety of things, alcoholism, gambling, gaming, eating too much, working too much, spending too much, gossiping, perfectionism…anything that one does in excess that keeps one from doing priority things in life. Anything that separates you from a fulfilled life in Christ Jesus. Talking about the things that are tempting to us makes us feel vulnerable. We need to be supportive of one another and not judgmental, we are instructed to love one another. Discipleship is difficult and only through the power of the Spirit can we live into its tough seasons.

Friends, as we begin a new week let’s concentrate the journey ahead of us and remember we are to support and encourage our brothers and sisters.

“DISCIPLESHIP IS NOT EASY”

“TRUST IN GOD”

Breath Prayer: Do not let me fall…into temptation.

~Peace~

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%204:1&version=CEB