2007-02-14 - Temptations: Results

Originally Published 2006-02-07

Temptation in itself is neither good nor evil. It has the potential for both. Temptation can drive you from God or draw you to him.

Jesus faced as many temptations as us - probably more. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15b NCV) It only makes sense that he be tempted at least as much as we are. After all, if Satan could get him to cave on just one small temptation and sin, he could have kept us all doomed. A sinful savior is no savior just another sinner in need of a true sinless savior. Of his many temptations, one set in particular was clearly spelled out in the gospels.

Read: Matthew 4:1-11

Another temptation was recorded in the Bible with very different results.

Read: Genesis 3:1-10

Adam and Eve gave in to temptation. Jesus did not. I bet that fruit tasted sweet in the moment they ate it; after all Eve liked it enough to offer it to Adam. Jesus had no such satisfaction. Sin has pleasure in the moment, but it's a fleeting moment. After that moment came shame. Adam and Eve hid from the God they once walked with in the garden. And eventually there came more consequences for their actions. They were expelled from the garden. Sin always has a price tag. Would you give away all that is good in your life for a single bit of fruit? Hardly, but that is the trouble of sin - it always demands a higher price than we really want to pay. However, look at Jesus. What happened after his temptation? "Behold, angels came and ministered unto him."

Adam and Eve were tempted and gave in. They were weakened. They began a life of toil. They condemned all humanity.

Jesus was tempted and overcame. He was strengthened. He began a life of ministry. He redeemed all the Adams and Eves, like us, that have ever given in.

With each temptation that comes your way, you make a choice. You decide the results. You can choose fleeting pleasures or eternal blessings. You can choose to grow through it or be weakened by it. The choice is yours. Capture your every thought, and turn each temptation into a prayer.

IHFHBOH
Adam

adam@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org