Kate reminds us how temptation is an all year round struggle and how me must remember to have an eternal perspective to resist Satan.
So, lent is over you’ve survived the long 40 days and it’s time to over indulge in the crisps, chocolate or whatever goodies you gave up. Admittedly my willpower is very weak, and my lent didn’t last much longer than week two, but I hope you were more successful than me! However, as I sit here and crack open yet another Easter egg, its got me thinking – what’s the point of it all? Surely there is more to temptation than just reaching a goal of ‘being good’ or a set finish line. So, here’s just a few of my short thoughts on the bigger picture of temptation.
Jesus said,
“My grace is sufficient for you; my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Our temptations are so often our weaknesses, and so it not only makes us need God’s power more, but it also cultivates the perfect opportunity for us to appreciate it more. God wants us to turn to Him in temptation not only to help us get through it but to understand more how perfect He is in comparison to Satan, just as we use lent to understand how strong Jesus was in comparison to us.
When we look at temptation we shouldn’t be talking to God about the finish line but rather about the right now and how He can meet with us in it. Consider, even if God helps you in this temptation and takes it from you (which we should definitely pray for) that does not mean it will be the last time you’re tempted! Do you think Satan will just walk away and leave you alone? No. He’s going to find the next desire he can to place on your heart. Just like it says in James 1: 14-15
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death”.
Or what if the temptation is a transgression and you repetitively fall into the same sin? Surely then, you should seek more than just staying in a monotonous pattern of asking for, and receiving grace, and sinning again, only to come straight back to the foot of the cross. And whilst there is undoubtedly freedom in Christ for every sin (Romans 8:1). Don’t let Satan tempt you into just thinking it’s an endless cycle but look for the depth of love that can be understood in that cycle and the ways that you can come to know God afresh each time.
So, each time you journey through temptation with God, don’t just resist but seek to grow closer to him so that the next time the desire comes, even if it’s in a completely different way, your understanding of and relationship with God will be deepened.
“Equip yourself now” would be an easy but rather empty sentence to say but we’re so lucky that God doesn’t leave us alone in this. He gives us the spirit and the sword. Paul tells us in Galatians that the fruit of the Holy Spirit gives us self-control (Chapter 5:22). In Ephesians we learn of the ‘sword’ or The Bible which we can use to learn more of his power. In Matthew 4:4 Jesus uses scripture to rebuke Satan, so we too can use God’s word to help us in our fight whilst simultaneously knowing him so more.
So let this be a challenge to invest in your walk with God through temptation. Don’t let lent be the only 40 days this year that you seek to resist Satan, but instead look for God in the struggle. Above all remember the eternal perspective just as is written in Matthew 4:11 “Then the Devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.” Jesus found rejoicing at the end of his trial and so shall we in heaven.
By Kate Peden.
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