LENTEN DEVOTIONAL   "Temptation"

By Pastor Don Giesmann

Cake with butter cream icing, Ghirardelli Chocolate, shop lift, cheat on the test, the IRS won't find out, "I don't care", gossip, the list goes on.

We are faced with temptation challenges.  Sometimes those tempts come daily, they can be sudden, constant, or once in a while.  When the word is used something comes to mind.

Jesus was tempted like us and yet without sin. We see His example in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13. Jesus understands temptation. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15) Jesus tempted like us.  The Greek word "to tempt" is peirazo meaning to tempt or to test. The word for temptation is used over 20 times in the New Testament. When a "test" it is often a test of our faith and what we do facing the challenge or choice. Other times the temptation is more about giving in to something we anticipate will delight.  Temptation is a battle of the mind and heart. Feelings and different emotions of course affect or battles.

Temptation is temptation, it is not sin. The sin is giving in to the temptation. James 1:12 is a comfort, "Blessed is anyone who endures temptation."

Prayer, Scripture, self-control (a fruit of the Spirit), Christian fellowship, and simple honesty, are some of the ways the Lord gives us strength with the temptations that come. We are not alone as First John 4:4 encourages us, "...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." James 4:7 tells us to give our lives to God and to resist evil. Individually we can stand with the Lord and we can support each other. We can love the Lord and love our neighbors as we also show mercy and work for justice in a needy world.