Mikki's Blog - Living in the Grace and Love of God » fasting

Dealing with Temptation

Mikki — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:11:39 +0000

The Scripture tells us that "Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." Then it says that Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights.

We know as we look back to this occasion that Jesus was about to begin his earthly ministry. Can we draw the conclusion that we might also face seasons of temptation before we are released into new levels of ministry?

The final temptation was a temptation for Jesus to receive power and glory if he would fall down and worship the devil. It came right on the heels of two other powerful temptations. Yes, temptations. Hebrews records for us that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet he never succumbed to the temptations. He never sinned.

So imagine Jesus after forty days and forty nights of fasting. Tired. Lonely. Hungry. And here comes a third temptation.

Power and glory belong to Jesus. They are rightfully his. Yet Satan tried to get Jesus to receive what was rightfully his by short cutting God’s plan. "Just do it the easy way. You can have the glory and power now. Just worship me."

This wasn’t a new song and dance for Satan. He was kicked out of heaven for the same issue.

Jesus answered the temptation by saying "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."

If Jesus needed to use the Word to face temptation successfully, we also must know and use the Word of God in order to pass the tests that come our way.

Notice that he didn’t command Satan to leave him after the first two temptations. But now, he knew it was time. He spoke in authority. He knew this season of temptation was over.

"Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him." Be encouraged if you are in a season of temptation. There is a designated end to the season and when it comes, the forces of evil will leave – for a while- and God will minister to you.

You Can Make It!

Mikki — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:16:00 +0000

The second temptation of Jesus in the wilderness was, in part, one of identity.

Matthew 4:5-6

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, sat Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written,

"He shall give His angels charge over you." and

"In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

Jesus had completed forty days of fasting. He was physically weak. He was hungry. He went head on with the Devil, passing the first test and boom, here comes test two. Ever noticed how when one temptation or struggle passes, there is often another one right on its heels?

Satan again tempted Jesus in the area of his identity. He taunted Jesus just as in the first temptation, "IF you are the Son of God…" He even quoted the Scripture this time answering Jesus method of passing the first temptation.

Knowing who we are is a struggle we can all have at times. Fasting helps to clarify that. As we deny our flesh in pursuit of God, our ability to hear and know gets sharper.

Jesus once again uses the Word of God to rebuff the enemy. And there is yet one more test before God will send the angels to minister to Jesus. Hang on, dear child of God, when the testing seems relentless. God will send help. You can end the season of testing with God’s strength for your weakness. You can grow in your understanding of who God has created you to be.

Remember that Jesus passed these tests as a man full of the Spirit of God. The same Spirit dwells inside you as a believer. "I can do all things through Christ who is my strength." Philippians 4:13

And at just the right time, God will minister to you, just as He ministered to Jesus.

Finding Strength for Your Weakness

Mikki — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Matthew 4 records for us the time immediately preceding the launching of the earthly ministry of Jesus. Jesus is "led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil". I don’t know about you but my flesh is already whispering to me, "If that is what it means to be in ministry, you should un-enroll." I mean, Jesus was, well, Jesus, right? He took on the temptations of the wilderness and passed with flying colors. But we are human, right? Enter the mystery of the Gospel into the picture. God sent Jesus into a fleshly body to live as a man full of the Spirit of God to show us how to live. The Word refers to him as the Son of Man. What can we learn from his temptation experience?

Well, much of course. But for today let’s just look at how Jesus faced the first temptation.

The first temptation that Satan approached him with was the temptation to turn stones into bread. Jesus certainly could have provided bread for himself right in the midst of the wilderness. All the Father had was his. It wouldn’t have been anything new for God to provide bread in the wilderness; He had done so for the children of Israel. Jesus had the power and the right to do so. But he was in a season of fasting. His physical body was weak when Satan came to him. He was hungry. Yet we find Jesus refusing to allow the desires and even needs of his physical body to control him. He faced the temptation by using the Word of God, a very specific Word that fit the situation.

We, too, need to be able to use God’s Word when we face temptation. Jesus answered Satan and quoted Deuteronomy saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that precedes from the mouth of God." He did not deny that he was hungry, but he depended upon the truth of the Word. He drew his sword, his weapon of choice, the Word of God.

As you continue in this season of fasting, feast upon the Word for it will strengthen you. Read the words of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to apply the Word to your life. Look at it as bread.

When we fast, we are often exasperated by our weakness. We don’t bat 1000; sometimes we don’t even bat .200. Instead of allowing that to condemn us and frustrate us, let’s allow it to remind us how we must depend upon God. We can allow it to remind us of the beauty of His strength. Remember that "In our weakness, He is shown strong." Allow it to be a reminder of the awesome strength of God.

As our awareness of the weakness of our flesh increases, our dependence upon the Spirit must increase. Jesus said, "The words I speak to you are spirit and life." As you spend time in the Word of God, be sure you do it from a perspective of life, not obligation. Allow the Word to be life to you. The living Word of God, which Jesus referred to as the preceding Word, will strengthen you and provide a place of victory in your temptations.