Scripture reading: Luke 4:1-13
Focus verse: Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Jesus was tempted in every way as a man is. After He was baptized and full of the Holy Spirit, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert and fasted for 40 days. He was tempted by Satan, but He remained resistant to every temptation and faithful to the Father. Alone in the wilderness, hungry and weakened, He maintained integrity. There was no corruption in Him, but a wholeness, perfection, uprightness, complete and honest.
Do you compare yourself to other people to decide if you are doing good? Who is our only true example? As someone who has surrendered their life to Jesus, the Saviour, we are called to walk with Him as a child who is learning to walk like their father. There is no true example of integrity than Jesus. Luke 4:13 says that the devil ended every temptation. Could it be that means that Jesus was tempted in every temptation ever to exist? According to our focus verse, it seems to be true. Our Jesus, Lord and Saviour, knows about temptation and can sympathize with our weakness, though he never sinned. He can teach us when we stumble how to resist the devil.
What kind of temptations have you faced? Born Again Christians have the Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness. Jesus has prayed for us (John 17) so we can have hope for sanctification (spiritual growth). When we are tempted to do something corrupt, something sinful, we have the choice on our action. Our failures should push us to seek the Lord. The more we surrender all in Christ, the more He will mold us to be like Him. I pray that you will be strengthened in the Lord to walk in integrity.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
