Beloved, I am glad to share with you today an important message from our Lord Jesus Christ read from Matthew 4.7: ” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” After his baptism, Jesus went to the wilderness where he was put to test by the devil. The mission which the Lord entrusted him required a good preparation in loneliness, meditation and prayer. He has just been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, so able to face all dangers; which he did successfully throughout his life. So, if we submit ourselves to His will, He abides in us and strengthens us so that we can always resist to temptation.
So the duty to resist to the test implies the need of helping all those who have to face the test, as you may read the following verses :
Romans 8.37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
James 1.12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
1 John 4.4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
The Bible encourages resistance to temptation:
Daniel 11.32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
Proverbs 2.1-2 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.’
1 Timothy 6.11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
James 4.7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Thessalonians 5.22 reject every kind of evil.
Practical suggestions to resist temptation :
prayer : Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
personal discipline : Hebrews 12.4, 7 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
2 P 3.17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
Examples of people who resisted temptation:
Abraham, when he refused a reward for a service rendered: Genesis 14. 23 ” that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’”
Elisha, when he refused to be paid for a cure: 2 Kings 5.16 ” The prophet answered, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused”.
Job, when he rejected the bad advice: Job 2.9-10 “9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this,
Job did not sin in what he said.”
the rechabites and Daniel, refusing wine: Jeremiah 35: 5-6 5 Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, “Drink some wine.” 6 But they replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine’.
Daniel 1.8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
Christ, when he refused the honor of men: Luke 4: 5-8 5 ” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
Peter, when he refused to be suborned by Simon the magician: Acts 8:20 ” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”
Our prayers are with you in this duty to resist test.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all adoration, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
Thus, resistance to temptation has the consequence of strengthening us in our faith, and preparing the rewards for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I would be glad to revert on your queries and comments, before sharing with you next week on the rewards given to those who triumph.
May the Lord God Almighty bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord of hosts.