ESOCS Devotional 25 September 2022
TEXT: LUKE 4: 1-15
MEMORY VERSE: “When the Devil finished tempting Jesus in every way, he left Him for a while.” Luke 4:13 GNB.
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The Devil tempted Jesus in several ways, just as we are tempted today. Jesus was tempted after the lusts of the flesh. He was also tempted after the lusts of the eyes, as well as after the pride of life (1 John 2:15-16). However, to the glory of the Father, Jesus understood that the world and its desires will pass away. But things of eternal relevance will endure unto eternity. He also understood that the only qualification for eternal life, is to do the will of the Father (1 John 2:17). To live above the life controlled by the flesh.
Jesus also had the understanding that everything that belongs to this world ends with the world. These include, but not limited to: (1) the sinful desires of the self-life; (2) what people see and want to have; and (3) everything in this world that people are proud of. All these come from the world of the devil, and none is of the Father (1 John 2:16).
Note: it was Satan’s purpose through all these temptations, to turn Jesus from His ministry’s specified pattern. In order words, throughout His ministry, Satan so tempted Jesus so He would fail from the purpose for which He came into the world. This purpose was no other, than to accomplish the redemption of mankind (Hebrews 4:15). Unrelenting as Satan is, He continued to tempt Jesus even unto the end. All in a bid to see if He could, per chance succeed. At a point, He entered Peter, to see if he could discourage Him (Jesus) from going to Jerusalem. However, and at that time, Jesus also understood that it was Satan working through Peter to turn Him from His pre-destined death (Matthew 16:23).
The secret behind Christ’s success/victory was that He lived under the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (vss. 1-14). The Holy Spirit lived in Jesus and constantly empowered Him. After Jesus returned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to make a permanent home in the hearts of believers. The Holy Spirit is now present in the Church and in individual Christians. His numerous tasks include:
- Inspiring ministers in the work of ministry
- Leading believers to Spiritual rebirth (regeneration)
- Bringing Christ’s presence to us
- Keeping us in touch with God
- Giving us power to witness and live the Christian life.
- Giving us spiritual gifts.
Child of God, if you must succeed and have victory over the relentless efforts of the devil, you must keep your heart conducive for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You must necessarily bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26). Let’s be guided.
CHALLENGES: Without the perpetual leading of the Holy Spirit, no one can have complete victory over the temptations of Satan. Do you agree?
PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit Devine, you worked with Jesus and He succeed. Please always work with me unto the end. Amen.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: 2 Kings 17:1-23; Ezekiel 18:14-20; Galatians 1:1-24.
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ESOCS Devotional 25 September 2022
