By the Spirit of God
As this Lenten season
according to church tradition begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday, I have been
thinking about what spiritual growth I seek to achieve. There are many struggles
and situations I find myself in that challenge my discipline and resolve, understanding
how to triumph is a walk of faith and “Not by might nor by power, but by my
Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty. [Bible Hub: Zechariah 4:6]
Yet, we think that by
mental capacity and fortitude, the force of determination and discipline, we can
totally overcome the vagaries of humanity to which we are too susceptible in habits,
desires, temptations, and tests. There is a reason why the phrase, “Lead us
not into temptation,” exists in the Lord’s prayer. Temptation is more than
a lure; it feeds on our natural instinct to yield and fall into it. There is always
a way out, but we rarely find it.
No temptation has overtaken
you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be
tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide
a way out so that you can endure it. [Bible Hub: 1 Corinthians 10:13]
Bible Versions, so many
In view of how temptation
seems to wield such influence over us, I have decided to revisit the temptation
of Jesus Christ, not in what He was tempted of, but in how He responded to each
temptation. Those red letters in the gospels have drawn my focus to a new understanding
of what is possible.
While I have developed
a preference for listening to and reading the New Living Translation (NLT), the
traditions in which I was taught and how I remember verses are in the King James
Version (KJV). However, when I share single verses, I offer links to over 30 English
translations covering the modern, classic, literal and other versions, to give context
and understanding in the different modes of English we use.
Temptations abound, but
we can win
Apostle John talks of
the ways in which temptations take hold of us, in each of which Jesus was tempted
too. “For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of
our weaknesses; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.”
[Bible Hub: Hebrew 4:15]
The apostle lists out
the fundamentals of temptation and how they are all not of God.
“For the world offers
only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride
in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from
this world.” [NLT]
“For all that is in
the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.” [KJV] [Bible Hub: 1 John 2:16]
The lust of the flesh
To the first temptation
of turning stones to bread to feed his hunger after a 40 day fast, Jesus answered
the devil and said, “It is written, Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
[Bible Hub: Matthew 4:4]
I find in this the need
to immerse myself and feed on the Word of God for strength and sustenance. This
always transforms my thought processes and guides me in places where I need inspiration,
insight, peace, and resolution.
The lust of the eyes
When the devil took Jesus
to the pinnacle of the temple and asked dared him to jump because angels will bare
him up, lest he dash his foot against a stone, the devil was quoting from Psalm
91:11-12, though inaccurately, Jesus said unto him, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
[Bible Hub: Matthew 4:7]
Understanding God’s word
better would give one an understanding of God’s will, what He would do, and what
He does not do. God is not into the sensational or theatrical displays for entertainment,
feeding our egos or lusts, but for bringing men into the kingdom of God.
The pride of life
Finally, the devil chose
to tempt Jesus with giving him the world he came to die for by suspecting he could
have the world just by falling and worshipping the devil. The same devil and the
works of the devil; he came to earth to condemn and destroy. Then saith Jesus unto
him, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou
shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” [Bible
Hub: Matthew 4:10]
Temptation always offers
a shortcut to pleasure and attainment, but never by the right and just means. We
could be easily drawn away with pride and that sense we could do things alone without
anyone’s help or the discovery of how we have achieved success by suspicious means.
Stoicism and strength
in faith can only come from trusting in God, feeding on His word and seeking only
to do His will with the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
This is my Lenten vision
and my greatest desire to live and love this way. Have a wonderful Shrove Tuesday. Now to
find a Lenten prayer group for study and devotion.