Temptations – March 9, 2022

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Hebrews 4:15

Temptations

How many temptations do you suppose you will face today? Temptations will come every day in different ways: at work, on the internet, in our thoughts, with the words we choose, when interacting with friends and spouses and siblings, etc. For our purposes, let’s imagine that you will face 100 temptations today. That is likely a low number, but let’s go with it—100 temptations a day. That’s 36,500 temptations a year. If you live to be 80, you will have faced 2,920,000 temptations in your lifetime.

That’s a large number! How many times do you suppose you have failed to fight off those temptations? The Bible says one sin is enough to condemn us for all eternity, but we have all failed far more often than that. Even if we said we avoided temptation half the time, that still means we will have failed to defeat temptation roughly one million times. That means we fall woefully short of the perfection God requires.

Isn’t it remarkable, then, that Jesus faced at least that many temptations and never once sinned? “Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” Amazing! And he did that for you. Jesus knew that you would fail, so he came to make it right. He came into this world to live a perfect life on your behalf. Jesus’ perfect obedience crushes your temptation and sin. As your perfect substitute, Jesus earned forgiveness and salvation for you. His perfect life in your place and his death on the cross for you assure you that you have a place with him in heaven forever.

And this same Jesus, who has already died for you, also knows what it is like to face temptation. He has been there and done that. So go to him! When you are tempted, turn to Jesus. He has the power to help you defeat temptation.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, forgive me for my sin. When I am tempted, help me to turn to you. Give me the strength to say no to temptation and to trust in you. Amen.