IT IS WRITTEN

“AND Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil.  And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.  And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

Luke 4:1-4 KJV

Have you ever been tempted to do something you know that you shouldn’t do?  I think if we are honest with ourselves all of us will have to admit that we have been tempted.  There is nothing wrong with being tempted.  Even Jesus was tempted but He never sinned.  He just said to the devil “It is written.”

Temptation only becomes sin for us when we do what we know we shouldn’t do.  “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).  Jesus set the example for us to follow when we are tempted to do something wrong.  We should also say to the devil “It is written”.

Jesus has also told us to love one another unconditionally just as He loves us.  Can we honestly say from our heart that we always love one another unconditionally?  I can’t say that because there are times when I have to ask God to forgive me when I get angry about something.

Heavenly Father, help us to love one another unconditionally just as You love us.  Jesus, thank You for setting the example for us to follow when satan tempts us to do something wrong.  Father, may we do things that make You happy instead of hurting You and making You sad.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

March 11, 2015