Power Over Temptation

Power Over Temptation
Then Jesus… was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. —Luke 4: 1-2
Satan loves to attack or tempt us when we are in a weakened physical condition. Such was the case with Jesus. Knowing that after forty days without food Jesus was weak and hungry, Satan suggested He use His divine powers to meet the needs of His flesh. In other words, “Let the spiritual be subservient to the physical.”
None of us have divine power, but we still face that same temptation. Satan constantly is trying to get us to put the physical level of life above the spiritual level; to allow ourselves to be ruled by the flesh and not the Spirit.
Jesus responded to Satan’s temptation with the Word. That is always the best way to handle Satan. “It is written,” Jesus said, “‘ Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God'” (Luke 4: 4). Jesus confirmed that the spiritual life is always superior to the physical life.
**Jesus triumphed over temptation and can help you to have victory also.
Jesus knows we are tempted to think more of bread than of the Word. He was tempted in that same way so that He could understand us and help us in our struggles. When Satan is trying to lure you away, Jesus can come alongside and say, “I know what you are thinking. I know that you are tempted. I understand.” But because He triumphed over temptation, He can also help you to have victory.
Father, how thankful we are that because You overcame temptation, You’re able to help us overcome. Lord, we are powerless without You. Be our strength. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.