12th October 2024

This world is full of temptations, although most of the time you’ll only hear the word when someone is talking about chocolate cake or other sweet goodies. And giving into that kind of temptation is usually couched in humour, which makes it funny and almost a good thing. Why would you resist? No harm done, right? 

It was serious business when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Those weren’t silly, harmless temptations like being beguiled by sweets – they were designed to entice Jesus into denying who he was and taking a shortcut to glory. Jesus faced those temptations, but he never gave in to them because he knew there were no shortcuts. 

As Oswald Chambers said in his devotional for 17 September (My Utmost for His Highest), ‘Temptation comes to me, suggesting a possible shortcut to the realization of my highest goal – It does not direct me toward what I understand to be evil, but toward what I understand to be good’. And that is precisely why we succumb: what tempts us always looks so good and deceives us into thinking it will help us in some way. When we face temptations, we see possible shortcuts to what we want – to be more important, have more wealth, get ahead of others or to preserve ourselves in some way. 

Let’s remember that temptations themselves aren’t evil – after all Jesus was tempted in every way – but our lusts and desires lead us to evil and sin. As James said, ‘Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire.’ (James 1:14, CSB). Jesus didn’t take shortcuts by way of temptation. He went single-mindedly to the cross, neither confused nor distracted by anything, but focused only on doing the will of his Father. 

First published on 24 September 2024, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com a personal blog which is not sponsored by Grace Communion International.

Local congregation:
You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, Grace Communion International | Grace Communion International under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church