RESISTING THE DEVIL’S DEALS
DEUTERONOMY 26:4-10, ROMANS 10:8-13, LUKE 4:1-13
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 station in our lives where we are enticed to do evil. Temptation is that station where we are expected to prove the stamina or result of our prayer and fasting. Hence, spiritual depth or maturity is not measured only by our ability to fast and pray, but by our ability to resist temptations and make godly choices.
Again, when you are tempted, don’t be dismayed as though something strange is happening to you. 1 Corinthians 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.”
To be spiritually strong, therefore, we need the following:
1. WE NEED 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. Galatians 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.
2. 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 shelves. 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.
3. WE NEED TO BE PEOPLE 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 Matthew 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 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 our 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.
But note: True spiritual strength is not just about kneeling in prayer, but also about standing firm against temptation.
4. WE NEED TO AVOID VAIN GLORY:
Spiritual power is not for vain manifestation. Once you see someone showing off and calling it spiritual power, know that such power is not coming from Jesus Christ. Jesus resisted the devil’s deals to display power. He said to the devil, “Change stones to bread; throw 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 the 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.
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. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
