DEAL WITH TEMPTATION

 

When I was younger, a lot of people wore bracelets with four letters on them. The letters were WWJD. The letters stood for "What Would Jesus Do?" The bracelets were reminders that for when you are tempted to do something wrong to ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?”

The bracelets did not always work. Some people did naughty things while wearing WWJD bracelets, but, the most important thing is not what I THINK Jesus would do. The most important thing is WHAT DID JESUS DO? If we want to know what we should do when the devil tempts us, we should read what Jesus did when the devil tempted him.

Jesus was tempted by the devil just as we are. One time Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days.

We heard that Jesus fasted or did not eat for 40 days. Satan said to him, “If you are really the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.”

The devil took Jesus to a high place and showed him the kingdoms below, and said, “All of this belongs to me. If you will bow down and worship me, I will give it to you.”

Next, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and led him up to the highest point on the temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. God will send his angels to rescue you.”

Each time, Jesus quoted Scripture, and the devil gave up! Now, as I will say in my sermon, it’s not that easy for you and me, but we do need to remind ourselves that Jesus defeated Satan for you and me – and that is the important point to remember.

With that, let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.