Year of the Bible: Part Eight of TwelveÀpẹrẹ

From Temptation to Triumph

What is the point of temptation? Temptations from the enemy are meant to destroy us. In contrast God tests us to teach and grow us into His image. The word in today's reading is the Greek word peirzo, which means "to be tested."

This test, was a divine appointment from the Father for Jesus to begin defeating the devil's plans. This test was a model of the wilderness journey for the children of Israel. Just like Israel's wilderness wanderings revealed the contents of their hearts, Jesus's test was meant to reveal what was in His heart—that the Word of God should be deployed to overcome the temptations of the evil one.

This test revealed to Jesus, and the spirit world, that obedience and loyalty to God's Word overcome every difficult circumstance.

The tests we experience have the same purpose: to determine the strength of our loyalty to Jesus. They also provide us a testimony of overcoming difficulty by the grace and power of God's Holy Spirit. Finally, they help us experience God's presence amid significant challenges.

Question: How are you working through your current test? What weapon in God's Word have you found to deploy in your current trial?

Prayer: Continue your journey through the Bible. As Jesus did, use Scripture as you pray to help you overcome temptation and endure tests. The Living Word will provide you the hope, grace, faith, confidence, and trust in God's creative power to deliver you through any and every test.