Overcoming Temptation

As we follow Jesus to the cross (Luke 9:23-24), one of the most important aspects of our life with Him and our witness for Him is living a life that glorifies Him by overcoming temptation. As the beginning of JESUS’ ministry and mission, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil (Luke 4:1-13). How was JESUS tempted? How did He overcome it? Why was He victorious?

Wouldn’t it be great to be so connected to JESUS, so grounded in His Word, that when temptation came our way we would be able to stand our ground or turn from it, too? Every time we give in to the temptation to sin, it grieves God and brings harm to ourselves, the people we love, and the gospel of Christ. Overcoming temptation is not a matter of trying harder; it’s a matter of training better – following the example of Jesus – to become the kind of person who normally and routinely does what God wants by relying on God’s Spirit.