Mark Sorensen I was standing in line behind someone at a coffee shop this morning, and they leaned over to me and said, “Hey Pastor, this James series is stepping on my toes.” I couldn’t agree more. Yet, isn’t this what the Gospel does? It reminds us that there are a lot of distractions in this life, yet to live and serve well we must keep our eyes on that which truly matters. I love what God is doing within this series. Truly.
Last week we looked at temptation, and I said that I wanted to share a little more in regards to a moment where Jesus is tempted in Matthew 4:1-11. Take a moment to read the text.
What do we find? Three things: One, God didn’t cause Jesus’ temptations, but He did allow them. The Scripture said that the “Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted” (Matt. 4:1). Two, the temptations that Christ encountered were real, and they were hard. Three, He never once yielded; He withstood them all.
So where does this story meet us today? Three things: First, let’s remember that God doesn’t cause our temptations, but He does allow them. Remember in the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “…and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” In that moment, we’re asking the Lord to keep our eyes open to all that might lead us toward something that could ultimately destroy us. Remember, sin begins with enticement. It promises something that it will not deliver. It only leads to death. Second, our temptations – like Christ’s – will be difficult, yet we have Christ to help us in those times of need. Remember on the eve of Christ’s betrayal when He is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He pleads for His friends to stay awake and pray as the hour of His arrest approached. What did Jesus say? “Watch and pray so that you won’t fall into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). Write that one down. Watch and pray. We must be alert and lean on Christ every single moment so we can withstand the temptations that come our way. Third, as Christ didn’t yield to temptation, we don’t have to yield, either.
Three verses I would love to share with you. Take note:
- “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
- “…you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:14)
From here, James moves into HEARING and DOING. More on that next week;)
