SCRIPTURE:
"At once the Spirit sent him out into the
desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He
was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” (Mark 1:12-13, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself in whose
COMPANY Jesus was in according to v.12
-
The Spirit
-
Satan
-
Wild Animals
-
Angels
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what role
each played and the significance?
Point 1:
The Spirit
I found it very interesting that right after the
voice told Jesus, ‘You are my Son, whom I love;
with you I am well pleased’, 'At once the Spirit sent him out into the
desert.'
This is very significant for me because what
came to my mind is before the Spirit sent Jesus into the desert; He was
built up with love and support, after being acknowledged as His Son, by
the Voice. Right after being baptized, Jesus could have been sent to the
desert but He was not. Instead, He was built up first with love and
support.
Implications:
I remember when I first became a follower of Jesus Christ, I was built
up so much in love, encouragement, and support. I felt so much loved by
Jesus. Jesus was helping me to grow in Him. After awhile, the testing
began but by then I already felt so loved by Jesus and felt His
continued presence in my life. Even if we do not feel His presence He
still is there, for when He comes in, He will never leave us or forsake
us. I am so thankful that right after I became a Christian I was not
plunged into temptation but protected from it. But being protected all
our life from temptation does not really help us grow as a Christian. It
is in adversity that our true colors and character shines forth. I was
built up enough that the Lord allowed temptation to occur in my life. I
wished that it could be like it was in the beginning but that would not
help in my growth. I am so thankful how the Lord Jesus handled me as His
new follower.
Point 2:
Satan
Satan tempted Jesus in the desert while Jesus
was there for forty days. The content of the temptation is not revealed
in this Gospel but we know Jesus was tempted after being encouraged and
supported. Look at the temptations too and they address different
dimensions of humanity. The three specific temptations Jesus was put
through can be found in Luke 4:1-13 and Matthew 4:1-11.
Implications:
I have been tempted so many times in so many
areas and have not always come through because I relied on self and the
flesh but Jesus Christ came through the temptation because He relied on
the Scriptures. The detailed version
can be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke 4:1-13 and Gospel of
Jesus Christ according to Matthew 4:1-11.
What I learned is that I can too overcome temptation by using the
biblical principles Jesus used.
Point 3:
Wild Animals
Everything mentioned in the Bible has
significance so the purpose of the wild animals being there has
significance. I believe it is to show us the protection Jesus received
by the Spirit.
Implications:
When I became a Christian, I believe the Holy
Spirit came to live in me and reside in me. The Spirit can protect me
from dangerous temptations, etc that can kill me spiritually,
emotionally, mentally, or physically as I focus on the Spirit. Each temptation can be different and address
different dimensions of humanity. Just as wild animals can kill,
temptations can kill too. But, the Good News is when I yield to the Holy
Spirit and allow Him to be in control I will not give into the flesh.
Even when we give into temptation, I am so thankful for the mercies of
the Lord for they are new each morning, Great is His Faithfulness!
Point 4:
Angels
The angels came to attend Jesus after He
overcame the temptations of Satan. This is so cool that God sent angels
to attend to Jesus in the desert. I believe the angels took care of Jesus
in the desert. We need to remember, though Jesus has the qualities of
Divinity He came to relate with humanity and experienced the same
things as humans do such as hunger, emotions, etc. The difference is
that Jesus did not give into temptations.
Implications:
I believe when we are tempted it can be
frustrating and many times painful not to give in. Our flesh wants to do
things but we know that the Holy Spirit does not want us to give in. It
can be encouraging to know that the victory is the Lord’s and He will
send His help to attend us as we continue to fight the temptations that
Satan sends our way.
I ask you now dear friend,
how do you handle temptation?
Dear friend, it can be so easy to give into temptations when we follow
our fleshly desires and sadly many times we
do because we do not focus on the Lord and what He wants to offer us. I
know I have been guilty of that time after time. When Satan tempts, he
makes things look so good and enticing.
He could put thoughts such as these in your mind so you will give in:
-
You must have this or that right away!
-
There is no point in waiting when it is at
your reach.
-
What does God know; He does not want you to
have fun.
-
No one is watching.
-
Go ahead this one time.
-
You will like it; try it.
All temptation starts with a thought process put
in our mind my Satan. When that thought process is rehearsed over and
over with false and deceptive rationalizations, they are acted upon and
become actions. Once an action is done then Satan will not use those
same reasons above but now becomes your accuser and puts thoughts such as
these in your mind:
-
God does not love you after what you have
done!
-
You are no Christian because of what you
have done!
These are only some of the ways that Satan
accuses. You see friend, when Satan entices people to let them give into
temptations, he paints a rosy picture but in reality you do not get the
rosy picture but the thorn picture of pain, shame, and hurt.
There is Good News however, friend and the
victory is the Lord’s. Just as Jesus overcame temptation, we can too by
following biblical principles. When Satan tempts you, you can resist him
by quoting Scripture to him and commanding him to leave you alone. You
have to focus on the Lord and allow Him to work in your life. God’s
Word, prayer, and a community of believers who are loving but not
judgmental can help you go a long way.
There will be times we still give in because of
our flesh. In those situations, forgiveness is available at the cross
and you can move on. Jesus loves you so much even when you mess up. He
wants to help you and you can come to Him as you are. Let Him guide you
and lead you. Yes, friend, He wants to help you! Experience the power of
His love !!!
I want to share with you a poem, the Lord Jesus
helped me to write years ago. It is called ‘Enduring Temptation’ and was
written to help a lot of people.
This one goes with the Scriptures from Romans
7:14-8:1:
Enduring Temptation
By Ramesh C. Reddy
Giving into temptation
making you feel so low?
There seems nowhere to go,
Making your life a tremendous blow
Causing you to be full of woe?
Devils temptation has become your foe?
There ain't no escape you think you know?
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
Though temptation is very strong
It wont last very long.
Cause Jesus, our Savior is the
Way! (John 14:6)
For
us sinners, he did the price pay. (1 Cor 6:20)
So
as we turn to Him and pray, (Matt 26:41)
He will help us overcome Satan each day!
(1 John 4:4)
Now Satan's temptation's tremble and cant stay!
(James
4:7)
So you see how it goes.
(Nah
1:7)
With Jesus we can overcome our foes!
(Romans
8:31)
When we are tempted,
(1
Cor 10:13)
He will let us be exempted
(Revelation 3:10)
Before
committing what was attempted! (Heb 2:18)
He is the Light!
(1 John
1:5)
Will make us do what is right.
(John 12:36)
By His blood we have been made white!
(1 John 1:7)
With the Lord, the devil we can fight!
(Philippians 4:13)
So with Jesus please walk!
(John 8:12)
So with you He can talk!
(Isaiah 30:21)
And be our mighty Rock!
(Psalm 18:1-3)
He wants to open our hearts lock!
(John 3:16)
Our heart Jesus knocks with a big knock!
(Rev 3:20)
"There Exist Many Petrifying Things And
Temptation Is One Naturally!" (T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N)/"How do you handle temptation?"
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I love you so much. Thank you Lord you love me more than
words can say. Lord Jesus as you already know, I keep getting tempted by
Satan and many times fail to do what is right. This makes me feel so low
because I have gone my own way. Please Lord I ask you to forgive me when
I get tempted and do the wrong. On my own I know Lord that I will keep
committing the same mistakes which you know I hate and cannot help it. I
humble myself before you Lord. I realize I am a sinner and accept my
peril before you and yield my life to you. Help me please Lord to follow
your ways. You are my hiding place OH Lord. I trust you completely. You
keep me from stumbling, thank you Lord. Thank you Jesus you are my Light
and my Salvation. You will let me overcome any temptation I am facing.
Thank you Lord you know how temptation is because you experienced it in
the wilderness when Satan tempted you many times. Yet, you did not give
in. Thank you for being able to relate with us when we are tempted. We
turn to you for help. Thank you Jesus for making us white as freshly
fallen snow. I invite you into my heart. IN YOUR NAME I PRAY JESUS,
AMEN.
"Because he himself suffered when he
was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews
2:18, NIV)
