Daily Devotional | Conquering Temptation

“What a friend we have in Jesus,” I’ve sung many times. “All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer! Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!”

Following and imitating Christ is the key to fighting temptation. In closing out this study, we return to the start of the public ministry of Jesus and His temptation in the wilderness. Notice that Jesus quoted Scripture against every temptation. He was utterly committed to His Father’s will, plan, and glory—this was the heart of His resistance to temptation. He recognized clearly that the temptations came from Satan who cares about none of those things.

Jesus also knew that the devil wouldn’t give up (v. 13). In the same way, we need to understand that any and all victories over temptation are temporary. Satan might shift tactics or target areas, but he’ll be back one way or another. And as long as we’re in the process of sanctification, our “flesh” or “sin nature” will pull us in the wrong direction.

On the road to Christlikeness, following and imitating Christ is the best and truly only way to cultivate that same utter commitment to the Father’s will, plan, and glory. Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” (v. 1), which is our goal as well. We’re to “be filled with the Spirit,” concrete marks of which include music, gratitude, and submission (Eph. 5:18–21). As we fight the good fight, remember that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37)!