Today’s verse:

…Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 
Romans 12:2. 

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

The trials and temptations that Jesus overcame during the early stages of His ministry are mentioned in this passage. When you decide to live for God, you will have to overcome trials and temptations in this world. So let us learn few things from Jesus today.

1. Don’t be self-centered (verse 3-4):

Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights and He was hungry. Knowing this, satan the tempter cunningly gives an idea to use His power to turn the stone into bread. But Jesus turned down his word. But if you see in the latter portions of the Scripture Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fishes and feeds more than five thousand people. It is not that Jesus cannot do what he said. But Jesus was not ready to use His power for Himself but He used His power for the people who followed Him. In the same way, God has given you many skills, opportunities, and specialties. Whom are you using it for? Are you using it for yourself or like Jesus are you using it for others? “That which is left belongs to charity” is a famous worldly saying. But the Bible preaches us to give ourselves for others. Take time to examine what you are using your skills and opportunities for?

2. Avoid diversions (verse 5-6):

Jesus Christ was sent into this world to live as per God’s will and give salvation to the world through the cross. But here satan diverts Jesus by saying to throw Him from the pinnacle of the temple so that people will accept that He is the Son of God. Jesus turned down satan the tempter’s word one more time. We should be aware that when we live for God and to fulfill His purpose in this world, we cannot reject the cross. Today many gospels divert us from the cross but we should be aware of it and overcome the temptations that are kept in front of us to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. Let us fulfill God’s will in this world through the cross.

3. Don’t give into worldly desires (verse 8-10):

Fall and worship me, I will give you the world said satan. Yet again Jesus turned down his word by replying through the Word of God. We should not yield ourselves to the worldly desires that satan has kept before us to please the world. We cannot have worldly desires and fulfill God’s purpose at the same time. No matter what comes our way, let us not give unto the world but strive to fulfill God’s purpose on this earth.

Remember,

The Word of God is all we need to overcome all the trials and temptations. Fill your mind with the Word of God. 

Dear Lord,

Help us to identify the trials and temptations and overcome them in the light of the Word not only today but every day. Amen!