POWER OVER TEMPTATIONS

And lead us not into TEMPTATION, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the KINGDOM, and the POWER, and the GLORY, for ever. Amen – Matthew 6:13

The KINGDOM, the POWER and the GLORY belong to King Jesus! He is the Pinnacle of Poise and Power. A severe test of His inner strength came when He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Satan unleashed his ‘TRINITY of TEMPTATIONS’ against Jesus, but the Lord defeated the devil hands-down and overcame triumphantly!

First was the LUST of the FLESH to distract His attention and devotion from the spiritual to the fleshly: “And the devil said unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made BREAD” (Lk. 4: 3). Deceptive and false spiritual promptings, fleshly cravings and unbridled passions constantly vie to draw our attention from God’s will into earthly pursuits.

Second was the LUST of the EYES: “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time” (Lk. 4: 5). This represents material goods and worldly possessions which try to distort our true perspective to life. The Lord warns us: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses” (Lk.12: 15).

Satan’s third snare of seduction was the PRIDE of LIFE: “And he brought Him to Jerusalem, and set Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:“ (Lk. 4:9). When the desire and pursuits to become famous, ‘wealthy, popular or powerful overshadow our love for God, our Christian walk is in danger.

As tiring as the forty days and nights of fasting were, they were not enough to leave the Son of God drained or exhausted. Luke 4:14 says, “He returned to Galilee IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT…” Temptation, rather than dissipating the anointing and power upon Him, multiplied them! By faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work of redemption, we also have received the Power to overcome Satan’s strategies and wiles, and emerge stronger! In Christ, you are tougher than the tough times! Temptations and trials should toughen the believer in Christ, not terminate your Journey in destiny!