Overcoming Temptation

The Easter Season is upon us. For the Christian this means the celebration of the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, from the grave.

You see, Satan thought he had won the war.

He thought he had defeated God and all creation, especially God’s top creation, mankind, that is, you and me. He thought he could now do whatever he wanted to do, and no one, and I mean “No One” was going to stand in his way of total control!

But he was only fooling himself, because three days later, three days after Jesus had been nailed to the cross and buried in a borrowed tomb (borrowed because He really wouldn’t be needing it for long), He arose from the grave and broke the Devil’s back! Satan thought he had won the victory, but he hadn’t.

The writer of Hebrews tells us in the fourth chapter, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our hour of need.”

Folks, there is a whole sermon in that passage!

In essence, what this passage is telling us and in the passage that deals with Satan’s temptation of Jesus in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, is that because Jesus was victorious over the Devil, by the help and power of His Holy Spirit who has come to live in our hearts through salvation, we too, can conquer the devil and rise victorious over temptation.

Let me illustrate to you what the devil can do through the power of temptation if we don’t let go of it, immediately.

My illustration concerns a camper who had camped out in one of the mountainous areas of our country.

As he was out hiking one day, he saw an American eagle, the most majestic of all the birds, as it was mounting into the sky upon its mighty wings.

What a magnificent sight it was.

However, it soon appeared that something was wrong. This king of birds did not continue to rise in the sky with the same power and speed with which it had started out.

It seemed to be hampered in its flight. Then it came to a stop, and at last the great bird fell down to the earth at the hiker’s feet.

Looking closely, the man saw that the eagle was dead. Searching still more closely, he observed that a small weasel had dug its claws into the abdomen of that splendid bird, and had drained the eagle of its life blood while the bird had tried to escape.

That’s what temptation can do. It can sink its claws into our very soul until we give in to its wishes, and rob us of our victory over sin.

But, you see? Because Jesus defeated the Devil and because He arose from the grave, He has given us the promise and the grace and mercy that if we will come to Him, even at the very moment of our temptation, He will give us exactly what we need to overcome our temptation. As the writer of Hebrews said, “He was tempted just as we are, but He never gave in. He never once fell to the Devil’s trap, and because He didn’t, we too can overcome temptation.

There is a place in the Hudson River where, as you sail, you seem to be entirely hemmed in with hills. The boat sails on towards a rocky wall, and it seems as if it must either stop or be dashed to pieces.

But just as you come within the shadow of the mountain, an opening is suddenly discovered, and the boat sails out into one of the grandest bays on the river.

Such is the way of temptation. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “Every temptation that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to all people, but God keeps His promise. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to remain firm. At the time of your temptation, He will give you the strength to endure it and so provide you with a way out.”

So, hang in there, don’t give in, because He will help you to overcome your temptation.