In our earnest desire to be happy always, there seems to be an obstacle in the form of an evil spirit prompting us to walk in ways seemingly attractive and appetizing. This experience is called temptation to which even Jesus Christ was not immune. We read in the Gospels that Satan himself attempted to dissuade Jesus from following God's ways by offering attractive alternatives. He waited for the most opportune time for the same when Jesus was really weak physically after fasting for 40 days and nights among wild beasts. His first temptation was in the form of apparent solicitude for the bodily health of Jesus. When Satan, in the form of the devil, suggested the need for caring for the body, in itself quite legitimate, Jesus insisted on the health of the whole person-body and soul- for which the word of God is essential along with bread. Thus the insinuation of Satan that bread was the most important element needed for our health was summarily rejected by Jesus. Therefore, there was no need of following Satan's way of safeguarding one's health, namely, by turning the stone into bread for which Jesus was capable as the Son of God.
The next temptation was craftily chosen by Satan following the words of Jesus about the importance of the Word of God. He set Jesus up on the highest point of the temple asking him to throw himself down since angels will hold him up, quoting Scripture. Jesus countered him quoting another Scripture text: " Do not put the Lord your God to the test".
As a last resort, the Satan attempted to attack the very sovereignty of God in Whom Jesus placed his trust. He took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and offered to give it all away to Jesus provided he knelt down and worshiped him. Jesus had to deal the final and decisive blow to the tempter by saying: "Go away, Satan! The Scripture says,'worship the Lord your God and serve only him" ( Matthew, 4:10).
The temptations of Jesus are 3 types of temptations summarizing various kinds we face in our life. We may bring them under 'Body', 'Mind' and the 'Soul' 'Body' stands for all our intimate personal needs vis-a-vis the world. 'Mind' is for our need for fame, power and wealth to exercise control over others. 'Soul' stands for our entire person in relationship with God. Each one of us should respond appropriately to our temptations in life.
The Word of God in the Scriptures should be the panacea we depend on to resist all kinds of temptations, as Jesus did. The Word of God upholds not only the glory and holiness of God but also the dignity of human beings. What is more, upholding human dignity in all possible ways is equated with the glory of God in the Scriptures. The foundation of true human dignity was laid when God created man in His own image and likeness (Genesis, 1:26). This is the ultimate reason we should resist and reject all temptations in order to nurture and develop our genuine potentialities. Let us be aware of God's Word in all circumstances of life so that we do not falter and fall into temptations. Jesus has taught us to pray to keep temptations away, especially the last big one at the time of our death. The devil, as the agent of Satan,is always after us with attractive thoughts, suggestions and proposals. The best way to thwart him is to make an act of the will denying him any chance by asking him to get out of our life. He will meekly obey us and depart in all haste.
The next temptation was craftily chosen by Satan following the words of Jesus about the importance of the Word of God. He set Jesus up on the highest point of the temple asking him to throw himself down since angels will hold him up, quoting Scripture. Jesus countered him quoting another Scripture text: " Do not put the Lord your God to the test".
As a last resort, the Satan attempted to attack the very sovereignty of God in Whom Jesus placed his trust. He took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and offered to give it all away to Jesus provided he knelt down and worshiped him. Jesus had to deal the final and decisive blow to the tempter by saying: "Go away, Satan! The Scripture says,'worship the Lord your God and serve only him" ( Matthew, 4:10).
The temptations of Jesus are 3 types of temptations summarizing various kinds we face in our life. We may bring them under 'Body', 'Mind' and the 'Soul' 'Body' stands for all our intimate personal needs vis-a-vis the world. 'Mind' is for our need for fame, power and wealth to exercise control over others. 'Soul' stands for our entire person in relationship with God. Each one of us should respond appropriately to our temptations in life.
The Word of God in the Scriptures should be the panacea we depend on to resist all kinds of temptations, as Jesus did. The Word of God upholds not only the glory and holiness of God but also the dignity of human beings. What is more, upholding human dignity in all possible ways is equated with the glory of God in the Scriptures. The foundation of true human dignity was laid when God created man in His own image and likeness (Genesis, 1:26). This is the ultimate reason we should resist and reject all temptations in order to nurture and develop our genuine potentialities. Let us be aware of God's Word in all circumstances of life so that we do not falter and fall into temptations. Jesus has taught us to pray to keep temptations away, especially the last big one at the time of our death. The devil, as the agent of Satan,is always after us with attractive thoughts, suggestions and proposals. The best way to thwart him is to make an act of the will denying him any chance by asking him to get out of our life. He will meekly obey us and depart in all haste.
No comments:
Post a Comment