Are you trying to tempt me?
by Pastor Greg Fowler
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For forty days he was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:2).
When I was a teenager, the whole country was obsessed with Australia winning the America’s Cup yacht race. The anthem of the Australia II team was ‘Down Under’ by Men at Work. It was a great song that captured the moment, and one of the lines was ‘Are you trying to tempt me? Because I come from a land of plenty’. It spoke of the reality of temptation only being effective if you don’t have something or are desperate for it.
The devil knows where we are weak. He knows our needs. He knows our longings probably better than we do. And that’s where he will focus his energy. Jesus was hungry, and the devil tempted him with food. Twice he questioned Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, encouraging Jesus to use his supernatural power. In each case, Jesus responded with words of Scripture used in faith. The word of God enacted by faith is a power the devil cannot overcome.
Jesus demonstrates his belief that life and identity are found only in God. God provides for our needs. His declaration that we are his children gives us our identity. We have plenty. We, too, can say in Christ, ‘Are you trying to tempt me? I come from a God of plenty’. When the devil tempts us to trust in something other than God’s provision, this Scripture shows us that we can resist when we return to the truth of who we are and speak the word of God in faith. May the abundance of his grace lead us not into temptation.
Lord God, when we are tempted, send your Spirit to show me your word and love for me. Allow the truth of your generosity to rest in our souls. May we resist temptation, in your strength, not ours. Amen.
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