Fast 40: Practicing the Ancient Spiritual Discipline of Lentნიმუში

Scripture says Jesus came out of the wilderness “in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Notice how it doesn’t say He came out of the wilderness “burned out” or “on the edge of a nervous breakdown” or “addicted to pain medication and antidepressants.” There is nothing in the text that suggests Jesus was defeated in any way by the Devil’s temptation.

As a fully human man, Jesus walked through a cauldron of catastrophe, a crucible of psychological crucifixion, and He dominated the Devil on every front. How did He do it? By positivity? By personal charisma? By self-help? No. He did it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:13 says, “If you mortify the ways of nature through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will have life.” The Holy Spirit gives us power, but it is not a power for mere pleasure; it is a power for purity—a grace to overcome temptation, to destroy sinfulness, to experience the freedom of Christ through holiness. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be holy. We must stop making excuses for our sins and realize we can walk, as Jesus walked, in spiritual victory!