The story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness
reminds me of 4 crucial things in our Christian walk on earth.
That's what I love so much about Jesus.
The things He went through on earth
are the same things we go through.
He is relatable.
I want to take you through this story step by step.
Then Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil...
- Luke 4:1-2
1.) The importance of God's calling over your life
Most challenges come when the anointing over your life is the greatest, and God calls you into the purpose He has for your life. Have you noticed? It was only after, Jesus was baptized, and God Himself opened the heavens to say: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:17, that the enemy came into the picture to tempt Jesus. See, some of us are walking under open heavens too. And God has spoken something into our lives that the enemy is afraid of. God has declared something over us that the devil fears! Jesus was about to start His ministry, to fulfill the plan of redemption for us. So with great assignment comes great responsibility and tests.
2.) The importance of fasting and prayer
...And in those days He ate nothing...
- Luke 4:2
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
- Matthew 5:6 NKJV
I think a lot of us fear to fast. The idea alone scares us. We think it will weaken us instead of strengthening us. We think it will starve us instead of filling us up. But then look at the word of God. It says we shall be filled. And Jesus was definitely filled at that time. But not with bread and water but with the Spirit of God. (Then Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit...) who knows, maybe if Jesus would have had a really good meal before getting into the wilderness, His flesh would have probably been satisfied but His Spirit would have lacked. What is your flesh satisfied with where your Spirit lacks? Fasting is not only about laying aside food, we can also abstain from television shows, social media or other bad habits that our flesh eats off, so that our Spirits will not lack and be filled enough to resist the enemy when temptations come and we get into the wilderness.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. -Ephesians 6:11
3.) The importance of knowing the word of God
And the devil said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him , saying "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God'. "
- Luke 4:1-4
Reading the Bible is essential for our Christian walk. Every word in it was breathed upon by God Himself. That's why it is His living Word. Just like God breathed into Adam and he came alive, He breathed on the word. God's word is a living word and everything that has breath or life has a purpose.
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
- 2. Timothy 3:16 NIV
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for wich I sent it.
- Isaiah 55:11 NIV
God gave us His word for a purpose. So that through it, we may accomplish things and overcome hardships. Whenever we get hit with a situation, it is His living word that we need to refer to and stand on when we need to rebuke the devil or get healed from sickness or when we pray.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...
-Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)
Jesus was able to overcome because of His knowledge of the Word of God. The word was His only answer to whatever the enemy threw at Him. It was laid on His heart and He was able to quote it.
4.) The devil is not a respecter of person
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.
- John 10:10 (NKJV)
I always thought that the devil only knows the address of really bad people. But this shows that it is actually the opposite. We are talking about the Son of God here. The righteousness of all mankind. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When the enemy didn't even fear to disturb Jesus, how much more is he going to try to come after us? But we thank God for His grace and His mercy and for His Living Word that we can stand on and for filling us with righteousness in times of need.
Amen.
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