THE TEMPTATION OF THE KING
Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Psalm 50; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
Temptation is the basic theme in the readings today. Lent is a season of spiritual growth yet no spiritual height is free from oppositions. In the Bible the word Temptation denotes a trial in which man has a free choice of being faithful or unfaithful to God. In the First reading, Temptation is seen as an enticement or invitation to sin, with the implied promise of greater good. In the garden, Adam and Eve fell when they were tempted. When Jesus was tempted he did not fall. Consequently, the second reading described him as the obedient Son of the Father. If we must not fall into temptation; we must be guided in the following ways:
WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT: 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 led by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power of God in every true Christian. With the Holy Spirit we can have the spiritual help that we desperately need to overcome our human nature. Gal.5:16 says “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify desires of the flesh”; in Gal5:25 tells us to live and walk in the Spirit. We must continually steer ourselves daily in prayer so that we become more sensitive to the impulses of God and not of the world.
WE NEED THE WORD OF GOD: The Word of God has always been our best defense against Satanic attacks.The gospel is the greatest weapon against Satanic spells. Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. In the gospel when Christ was tempted by Satan in the desert, but he referred to Scriptures and the Devil left Him. 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 Word of God guarantees us victory if we truly want to overcome temptations and grow. If you don’t know the bible sorry; you lack guidance and guidelines for the Christian life. Prob.19:2 says that a soul be without knowledge is not good.
WE NEED TO PRAY: In addition to God’s Word, prayer can help us to resist temptation. In Matt.26:41 When Jesus and his disciples went into the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said to his disciples “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” In Matt.6:13 and Luke 11:4 the “Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus taught us to pray that we would not be led into temptation. Jesus knew that the disciples couldn’t fight temptation on their own and urged them to call out to God in prayer. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual enemies. Go to Jesus in prayers; Heb.2:18 says “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” The days are evil pray that you don’t fall prey.
WE MUST AVOID VAIN GLORY: Spiritual power is not for display. What we see today in many churches is an aberration. No spiritual power is for display. Jesus resisted the devil’s suggestion to display power. Satan asked him to change stones to bread, jump down from the pinnacle and bow down to worship him. Jesus response shows he has power for such but miraculous power is not for display or vain glory but for salvation. Jesus resisted all that the devil suggested. He said “Begone satan!… and the devil left him.” Similarly, James 4:7 says resist the devil and he will flee from you. We too must resist the devil’s suggestions.
In many different ways today the devil is suggesting satisfaction for our hunger; suggesting means for power and wealth. If we don’t resist him, he will prevail over us. Job resisted the suggestions of his friends and wife; Joseph in Gen.39:6 “handsome in form and appearance” yet resisted the wife of Potiphar. Paul said to Timothy in 2Tim.2:22 flee from youthful lust. Today, the devil continues to offer men many suggestions for riches and fame. Young boys and girls are falling for demonic suggestions and immoralities. Many churches, prophets and pastors are falling for satanic suggestions. Vain glory earns vanity. The temptation of Jesus implies that as his priests, prophets and kings we shall be tempted across the lines of wealth, power and women.
LET US PRAY
Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects. Amen
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
