Day 80: Conquering Temptation

Reading: Proverbs 7:21-27

Temptation is a feeling we all get to face. Jesus even faced temptation, as we'll read later. In this reading, we see the warnings against falling into it, as it describes the man being led away like "an ox going to the slaughter." Temptations will always feel and seem appealing at first, and even in the moment, but they are like a delicious poison that comes back to hurt you later. There are some things we can do to guard against temptations. Be on the Word and in tune with God. When we don't know God's standards, how do we set our own?
Beware of words that try to persuade. When you hear things like "this is innocent"..."don't worry about this"..."it won't hurt at all" in a conversation that is trying to lure you into a situation, run. And run fast.
Control your thoughts. Thoughts are a dangerous root, where temptation takes its own root. Don't let thoughts of justifying a situation or justifying your temptations take hold. Brush those off and get into prayer and the Word.
Control actions. Always have control over a situation. Don't put yourself in places that can lead to trouble. Don't walk down a street of temptation in the first place.


Reading: Luke 3:23-4:13

As mentioned before, we see that Jesus faced temptation like we all do. We can even see in the bloodline of Jesus how fallen people make it up. God uses even the fallen to do great things.
When Jesus was in the desert, Satan sees the opportune time to tempt Him. Satan usually targets strong people at vulnerable times. Jesus was hungry and tired, though He had just come off a powerful experience in His baptism, but that is how it usually goes. When we are on a spiritual high, days, or even hours later we may run into a very low point, taking away from that goodness we just had. We see Jesus battle with Satan about three very common forms of temptation.
- Instant Gratification: Jesus was very hungry from His 40 days of fasting, so Satan comes and tries to lure Him in to making bread out of a rock. Now I don't know about you, but when I'm starving, or think I'm starving, I would probably eat anything that looked or sounded food to me in a heartbeat. Jesus, however, turns and rebuttals with scripture, remembering to rely on His Father.
- Selfish Ambition: Satan then takes Jesus to see all the kingdoms of the world, tempting Him with ownership of those kingdoms. Could you imagine the power you would have? Talk about a tempting offer. Jesus, again, fires back at Satan with scripture. Many times we may face a temptation to further ourselves the easy way. We may be tempted to steal to earn more money, or take money under the table. This would be the sinful and easy way out. Consider scriptures when these temptations arise.
- Power: Lastly, Satan tells Jesus to jump off a building, causing His angels to come rescue Him. Again, Jesus rebuttals with scripture, telling Satan that it is written that "you shall not test God". We are called to a life of obedience and strength through Christ, not our own power. Jesus performed many miracles, as His Father told Him to. Jumping off a building and being rescued by angels would have only drawn unnecessary attention to Himself, and not to His mission. When we do God's work only to get the glory ourselves, we go against the obedience of Christ. We do great things to bring glory to God, and not to ourselves.


Reading: Numbers 11:4-13:25

We are a people who suffer the temptation of comparison. We are always comparing ourselves to others. We compare bodies, jobs, degrees, kids, houses, spouses, belongings, trips, whatever...we will compare anything and everything. The people in Moses' time did this too. They compare the manna they eat day after day with the luxuries they had in Egypt. This angers God, as they are not thankful for His provision, but complaining about it. When we become discontent in what we have, we are ungrateful, and then become jealous and covet what others have. Being thankful and relying on God's provision creates a sense of humility that God loves to see in us. We are a society that craves more, and wants with others have. The problem with this is we'll be on this treacherous cycle forever die still unhappy. When we are grateful for everything God gives us, we will be a much more content people who are less likely to fall into the temptation trap.


Temptation lurks at every corner, waiting to pounce when we are most vulnerable. We can withstand temptation by being in the Word and keeping ourselves from situations that can cause us to fall. Resist comparing your life and possessions to others, and contentment will wipe out temptation more easily.