Temptation

Temptation...It is something that is common to every human being. We are all tempted to do that which is wrong even when we know the right thing to do. It is a basic human trait, an instinct. It is part of our fallen, sinful human nature. Notice that I used the word "basic." It is the lowest common denominator amongst us. It is the lowest of the low.

When bad things happen we revert back to our base. If our base is good we will do the right thing. If our base is bad we will screw up royally! Any police officer or soldier will tell you that in the heat of combat you revert back to your basic training. If the training was good you will perform well. If not, you may die. Good training helps you survive the fight. The same is true for us as Christians. We need a good, solid biblical base to overcome temptation. We also need the will to overcome temptation.

In Luke 4:1-13 we are told the story of Jesus going into the wilderness for forty days and battling the temptation that Satan throws at him. The text says that He went into the wilderness "led by the Spirit." Jesus had just come from His baptism in the River Jordan and He had been anointed by the Holy Spirit. He was on, what we Christians call, a spiritual high, when He was confronted with one of the most ferocious battles of His earthly life. Jesus was about to be tested by Satan to see if the events at the Jordan River had truly been life-changing events. You see, it is easy to be spiritually high while surrounded by the minister, the congregation, and the Sacraments. It's not so easy when you are all alone.

We know how the story ends. Jesus passed the test! But have you passed yours? Thnakfully Jesus has shown us how we can overcome temptation and pass the test when we too are confronted by evil.

The first thing that Jesus taught us was we must never enter into any spiritual battle without being full of the Holy Spirit. Whether it was a trial in the desert or the horrors of the Cross, Jesus stayed in touch with His Father and empowered by the Spirit. How did He do this? Well, we know that He prayed incessantly. He was always going away into the woods, up on a mountain, or into a garden to pray. He stayed in touch with the Father through prayer. There are no shortcuts here. If you want to stay in touch with God you are going to have to make time to talk to God. But that wasn't all that He did. We also know that He worshiped in the Synagogue weekly. He gained strength from the public worship of God. He celebrated all of the biblical feasts and festivals. He participated in the Sacraments as evidenced by His Baptism. Jesus stayed filled with the Spirit of God by staying in touch with God through prayer, worship, and sacrament.

Secondly, we know where Jesus' base was - it was rooted in Scripture. He was trained in the Hebrew Scriptures by His parents, the Rabbis, and by self-study. As a good Jew Jesus became a biblical scholar. He had no formal theological training but He absorbed everything He could at home and in the synagogue. Every Christian should be a biblical scholar, immersing themselves in the Word of God.

As we travel through this Lenten season and focus on our human weakenesses and mortality we need to learn the lessons that Jesus has taught us. When we are on a spiritual mountaintop we are going to be attacked by the Evil One. When we are at our weakest we are going to be attacked by the Evil One. Wherever you are in life you are going to be tempted. Are you ready for the attack? Is your base solid and is your will sound? Get prepared for the fight by getting in touch with God. When we are enlightened by the Word and strengthened by the Sacraments and Spirit we can withstand anything the world has to throw at us.

Get ready, stand firm, and overcome through and with Jesus Christ our Lord.