DCLM Higher Everyday 16 July 2023 — Temptation: A Trying Thing
DCLM Higher Everyday 16 June 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Temptation: A Trying Thing
Read all Previous DCLM Higher Everyday Devotionals
Topic: Temptation: A Trying Thing
Text: Matthew 4: 1-11
1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Key Verse: “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10).
Message
According to Wikipedia, temptation is an immediate, pleasurable urge or an impulse that disrupts an individual’s ability to wait for a long-term goal. Temptation is the inner drive to get something that is ungodly. There are different forms of temptations confronting the youths of today. They include cheating in exams, stealing, taking alcohol, immorality, and joining gangs.
In our text, our Lord Jesus Christ endured temptation and overcame all that the devil threw at Him. God does not lead us into temptations, but delivers us from them. Friend, ask God to help you overcome temptations. However, you should also be vigilant to stay away from tempting situations. As Jesus Christ overcame, you can also overcome if you belong to Him. But if you are a sinner, accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour, and He will help you too. I love the way Frederick W. Faber put it, “Every moment of resistance to temptation is a victory.” Yes, if you resist the devil, he will surely flee from you. That is the privilege Jesus gives when you accept Him. Will you?
Quote: Ask God to help you overcome
Challenge: Stay away from tempting situations.
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to have daily victory over every temptation.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
