Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.  (Luke 4:1)

Soon after Jesus was baptized in the water of the Jordan river, he was alone in the wilderness for forty days.  Well, I guess he wasn’t really alone…the devil was there to try to tempt him three times.  First, the temptation was the simplicity of turning a stone into bread, to satisfy his hunger.  Next, he was tempted with the idea of ultimate power and authority that would be his if Jesus would simply worship the devil. Lastly, was the temptation of protection that would test God.

So, what comes to mind when you think about temptation? What tempts you? What is your greatest temptation today?  

I have been thinking about those questions this week, because I think what we often call a temptation isn’t really a temptation. We often think about temptations as a struggle between ourselves and some other thing or person. We’re tempted to have a second dessert. We’re tempted to give him or her a piece of our mind. We’re tempted to tell a little white lie. The reality is those might be bad decisions, and we should probably say no, but I’m not sure they are temptations. I’ve begun to realize that my temptations aren’t a struggle between me and some other thing or person. They are a struggle between me and me. 

It’s the struggle between the conflicts and contradictions within myself. It’s the struggle to clarify who I am and the values that guide and direct my life. It’s the struggle to face the realities of my life and to take responsibility for myself and my life. And sometimes it’s the struggle to simply show up to my life day after day, and not run away. 

We all struggle.  Face difficult decisions.  Encounter temptations that can lead us astray.  What we need to consider is how we respond.  May we have the strength to stand firm in our convictions, and the confidence to say no. 

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Jesus answered, “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God.
Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”  (Luke 4:8)