October 17th

HARNESSING THE POWER OF TEMPTATION

 Scripture Reading:  Luke 4: 1-2

 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

     Strong’s Exhaustive Concordanceprovides a glimpse of what Jesus must have endured for 40 days in the wilderness.  It defines His being tempted of the devil in part as follows: 

     -to try whether a thing can be done

     -to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself

     -to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin

     -to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments

     Jesus, the Word made Flesh, proved that there is a Life apart from sin.  His qualities, thoughts, and behavior withstood the onslaught of wickedness in its purest malicious and crafty form. His faith, virtue, and character never wavered, and His feelings and judgments were proven most genuine as the Son of the Living God. 

     After this period of temptation, Jesus hungered.  Hunger is a most vulnerable time for anyone.  It signals the deficit of a basic human need that leads to death if not met.  It demands immediate attention.  Jesus’ state of hunger proves an invaluable point to the believer.  Spiritually, hunger represents humility.  The Word of God is demonstrated in Power when one is at his most humble state or when the flesh is totally denied!  Jesus’ focus was never on the needs of His Flesh but rather the will of the Father.  Herein is the first step in harnessing the power of temptation.

Continued