Jesus got baptised and before His public ministry He was guided BY THE SPIRIT to be tempted BY THE DEVIL!!!! Interesting, aint it?...maybe interesting is not the right word here. I believe that all those in ministy will be led BY THE SPIRIT like Jesus was. This way too? Well....thats not my topic here!!!
My topic is His temptation-
First, He was tempted with food-daily need ...yes, but Jesus answered that man lives not on food ALONE (He didnt say man doesnt need food!) but by the word of God. Trust His word/promises that He will provide for those in ministry....this is something that prevents many to step out into their callings.Jesus had all the right to preach this because He demonstrated it with His life. I wonder how many of us preachers/men of God can boldly proclaim these words with their lives testifying it?
Secondly, He was tempted to test God by using the word of God inappropriately. By not listening to God's Holy Spirit and using the word of God which is not applicable in a particular situation and expecting God to answer as WE want it , are we guilty of testing God? One thing I can say for sure we cannot understand the Word of God without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is inevitable that we listen to the Holy Spirit as we read the word- just knowing it wont do, though it may help in many ways eg to judge others or find fault with others' ministry or criticise!.How many of us can say that we have always been led the Spirit so many times we thought we are obeying His word?
Thirdly, the devil offered to give the world and its pleasures to Jesus "just" if He would bow down and worship him. We know He didnt do it and overcame by quoting scriptures yet again saying thou shall worship God alone. And the "dod"(dirty ol' devil) fled from Jesus. Look at ourselves(let us look at others later, after we remove the plank from our own so we can see better!). How many times we have been offered and tempted and we have given in?
By writing this article I am by no means declaring that I have never fallen but just reminding my fellow servants of God that we still have grace lavished on us to repent for the times we have fallen short and turn back.
God is merciful.So lets repent and trust God and step into our callings boldly trusting His Word and His promises, listen to the Holy Spirit and to say NO when the devil's agents come with offers of the world and its pleasures. God is merciful to forgive and His grace is sufficient once again for us prodigals to get back into our Father's arms.
3 comments:
Johnny you have beautifully brought out the meaning of the passage of Jesus' temptation..It was a great blessing and a fresh reminder of how we need to be depending completely upon our Lord and God Jesus Christ
it's inspiring!it teach us how we should live in practically.isn't it ??
Very very apt! To be alert at the devils vices is an everyday affair - can be on guard only when constantly equipped with the word of God and be filled with His Holy Spirit - a complete dependance on Him.
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