Today’s Bible reading from the Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Number 34-36; Luke 4

Temptations are incentives to sin. As advertisements entice you to purchase products (whether you need the product or not), temptations entice you to engage in thinking, actions, or words that are not according to God’s law or design.

Spurgeon once said, “The children of God are all subject to temptation; some of them are tempted more than others, but I am persuaded that there is not one, except those who are too young to be conscious of evil, who will enter heaven without having endured some temptation.”

We know from Scripture that Jesus never since sinned (2 Cor 5:21). Therefore, one does not sin when tempted. Nor can we say that God tempts anyone. James 1:13-14: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”

Satan is that “tempter,” still doing what he had always done even from the start. This is a reminder that these temptations are still in play and that, praise God, he always provides a way out (1 Cor 10:12-13).

Mark Twain noted, “There are several good protections against temptation, but the surest is cowardice.” Do not fear temptation–fight it! Fearing it means you’ll take the cowardly path and give in. Read through Luke 4:1-13 and see what Jesus did to resist temptation–and let’s learn from our Master, shall we?