Lesson 8 – When the Spirit Leads to Temptation

Matthew 4:1

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

I've never liked this passage at all. I really don't want to know that the Spirit might reach out and touch me in a way which might ultimately expose my weaknesses. And I doubt Jesus looked forward to the Spirit's touch this day either. After all, who wants to undergo temptation? Who wants to suffer? Who would want to be found unworthy?

Still, I suspect we're led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted more often than we care to know. You see, God gets the most glory when we make a free choice to stand up to temptation. He's like a parent beaming when their child is caught doing the right thing when no one is watching. The stakes here are great. Not only is God watching our response to temptation, but so is the Adversary. Will God get the glory in your life?

God could have chosen to showcase his power in us by controlling every aspect of our lives, making every thought, word, motion be lived in obedience. But he chose another, the one we call free will. In God's grace, each of us is free to respond as we will in the face of every temptation. In obedience to God in temptation, our Lord is glorified.

So will we respond as Christ, rebuking Satan's arguments to walk away from our faith? Will we embrace the Devil's offer for an easy way out when our physical needs get the best of us? Will we test God by putting ourselves in peril through stupidity or laziness? Will we smell the aroma of power and give up our faith to be in charge, living for our glory alone? Or will we be as Christ, giving God all the glory?

Here's the key to resisting temptation. Understand that not only does the Spirit lead us to be tested, he is there to strengthen our hearts in the midst of every trial. All we have to do is look to the Spirit for God's righteous way that is promised to us as we yield to the Spirit.

Maybe you can't quote the Bible from memory. Maybe you're used to failing more than obeying. Maybe God's glory has been far from you. Still, the Spirit's touch is available for your life, and if you'll surrender to him, your life will glorify God even when the Spirit leads you to be tempted.

LORD JESUS

I know I give into sin way too often in my life. My desire is to glorify you, so I ask for not only the leading of the Spirit, even if that includes the desert, but also the strengthening of your Spirit in my life. Amen.