DEU.26:4-10/ ROM.10:8-13/GOSPEL READING: LUKE 4:1-13
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Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
JESUS’ TEMPTATIONS AND OURS
Today’s gospel reminds us that there is a temptation special to those who stand at prayer. In fact the closer you are to God the greater the temptation. In the Bible the word temptation primarily denotes a trial in which man has a free choice of being faithful or unfaithful to God; only secondarily does it signify allurement or seduction to sin. The words used for temptation are nasah (Hebrew) and peirazō (Greek). Both words carry a wide range of meaning that can be translated either as “temptation” or “testing.” In the first sense, the word points to an enticement to do evil. While in the second sense, it proves our character and shows the depth or integrity of our commitment to God. Put together we can say that Temptation is that stations in our lives where we are enticed to do evil. Temptation is that station where we are expected to prove the depth of our prayer life. So, it is not about fasting and praying; can you overcome temptation? We know that fasting and praying are important but if your spiritual will is not strong you can’t tame your desires. To succeed in this Christian journey we need the following:
We need the Holy Spirit: Here me beloved in Christ every time you defeat temptation you become more like Jesus. And no one can defeat temptation without the Holy Spirit. The Gospel says Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power of God. The Holy Spirit enables us to free ourselves from the sin and temptations we struggle with, in our daily lives. Thus, if we have the Holy Spirit, we already have what it takes to resist the flaming arrows the devil sends our way. And Gal. 5:16 says “live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature”. Beloved, the world is immorally charged and many are being destroyed if we don’t live by the spirit we too shall be consumed.
We need God’s word: The Word of God has always been our best defense against Satan’s temptations, and the better we know His Word, the easier it will be to claim victory over our daily struggles. Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. In Luke 4:1–13 when Christ was tempted by Satan in the desert, He took to the Scriptures and He prevailed. Even though the devil was using the word Jesus had the word and the Spirit behind the word. And so he was victorious. Indeed, Christians need to be diligent in studying God’s Word. Don’t have the Bible as one of the books that decorates your shelf. Let it be your rule and guide. Psalm 119:97–98 says “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies”. The Devil is wise; but the Word of God makes us wiser. The Second reading says we must confess this word with our lips and believe it in our hearts. Another way of saying we should be conscious of God’s Word. Anyone who is conscious of God’s Word will most likely overcome temptations.
We need to be men of prayer: In addition to God’s Word and Spirit, prayer can help us to resist temptation. Prayer is our relationship with God’s Word and Spirit. Today’s Psalm sees it as the act of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High and abiding in the shade of the Almighty. The night Jesus was betrayed, the Bible says He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Mark 14:38 Jesus said to Peter “pray so that you will not fall into temptation” Again, in Matt. 6:13; and Luke 11:4 in the “Lord’s Prayer” Jesus taught us to pray so that we might not fall into temptation. In prayer we depend on God for refuge and strength. Today’s psalm makes us to understand these graces further; in Prayer no evil shall befall us, in prayer no plague will approach our tent; in prayer the Angels are set to keep us in all your ways; in prayer the Angels bear us upon their hands and in prayer we tread upon lion and the viper and trample the young lion and the serpent. Beloved, pray, so that you don’t fall prey. Oftentimes, during prayer we are mostly tempted; don’t give up 1 Cor. 10:13 says “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
We need to avoid vain glory: Spiritual power is not for vain manifestation. Once you see someone showing off and he calls it spiritual power, know that such power is not coming from Jesus Christ. A week ago I came across a video of a pastor who was playing football in his church as a demonstration of power. Children of God take note: No spiritual power is for display. Jesus rejected the devil’s suggestion to display power, he said to him ‘change stones to bread; thrown yourself down from this high cliff and bow to worship me.’ The response of Jesus shows that he can perform such wonders but His powers are not for display or vain glory but for salvation. There is so much display in churches today just to attract world’s recognition and fame. The devil offers these gifts to widen his kingdom. Vain glory earns us vanity. According to the temptation of Jesus to overcome vain glory there are three main desires we must avoid: (1) The desire to satisfy hunger, other insatiable needs and wants of life. (2) The desire to pursue ungodly riches and powers, which leads to the worship of Satan. (3) The desire to acquire worldly fame, popularity, recognition or influence. If we don’t fall for these desires we shall reign with Christ forever.
