Mark 1:12-13 [NIV] | 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
God is not the author of our sin. When a person is caught in sin, they often look for someone to blame. It is not in our character to take on the responsibility of our negative actions. The fact is we sin because of our own weakness. Like Adam and Eve, we see something that looks pleasing to the eye and in our weakness, we take hold even if it opposes God’s command or will. Jesus knows what it is like to face temptation, yet he remained sinless.
For forty days and nights Jesus experienced Satan’s evil attacks in the desert. Jesus was weak from a lack of food and water; it would be easy to fall into temptation when plunging into sin appears to be something that elevates. Sin is to do the opposite of God’s will for our lives, it’s doing a 180 and turning away from God. We want to cast all the blame on Satan, but truth be told, it is our own fault. Satan merely entices us to turn from God and in our weakness we fall short.
God is faithful, he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. But when we are tempted, when sin comes creeping at our door, God will provide a way out so that we can endure it. Through the power of the Holy Spit working in our lives we can say no to sin and yes to God. We can walk in the new life we have in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We need to stop the blame game and take responsibility for our actions. God has opened the opportunity for us to repent and turn from our sin. We have been set free in Christ.
Prayer:
Gracious Lord, thank you for the hope I have in you. Help me say no to sin and yes to you. Amen.
Action Plan:
I will seek God’s power and strength when I’m faced with Satan’s attacks.
Pastor Rod Lindemann
I Can’t | Jesus Can | Jesus Can Through Me