JESUS HELPS THOSE WHO ARE TEMPTED

 

          Jesus never sinned but he did face temptation. In Hebrews 2:18 we read, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Jesus is the only person who lived a sinless life. Peter wrote of Jesus, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22) Even though He lived a sinless He did not live without temptation. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16) Jesus cares when we face temptation because He understands our struggles. Jesus fought those same kinds of battles with Satan Himself. “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

 

          Being tempted is not a sin; giving in to the temptation is sin. Those who are trying to honor God should never willfully put themselves in a position where they would face unnecessary temptation. One of the best ways to deal with sin is to stay away from it. You should fortify yourself against temptation with knowledge of God's Word. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalms 119:11)

 

          Being tempted does not mean that we must give in to sin. The same kind of temptation that you face have been both faced and resisted by others. Paul said they are “common to man. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) We must remember that knowledge of the word of God and a love for it are the keys to resisting temptation in our lives just as it was in the life of Jesus.

 

          Being tempted is something we will all face; let us stand boldly against the Devil and have the courage to resist temptation. Matthew wrote, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) In James 1:12 we read, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” The goal of a Christian is not to stop temptation. The goal is to stop sinning.

 

          No one is exempt from temptation. I don’t know what temptations you may be dealing with in your life. However, I do know that if you are breathing, you are facing temptations! Our greatest resource in the face of temptation is a close relationship with Jesus Christ. Will you be baptized into Christ to put on Christ so that your sins can be forgiven by His blood? "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) Believers contact Christ's saving blood by being baptized into His death. John said, "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12) We join with Paul in saying, "To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:21) Are you a faithful member of the church of Christ?

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,

Greenville, Alabama 36037