Lenten Word 14: Temptation

Temptation is the attractive, uninvited guest to the innermost rooms of our minds and our souls. It presents itself as an option or opportunity that we sometimes believe would bless our lives if only for a few moments. Usually, it does not, and the consequences can be even longer lasting. Our Lenten Journey is meant to strengthen our faith to best resist temptation. Some believe temptation comes from the devil, but we're pretty good at tempting ourselves. James said, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." And Peter said, "Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour." (1 Pet. 5:8).

Through prayer, fasting, scripture reading, worship, showing care and concern for others, we can gain strength to resist temptation and stay faithful to God and God's expectations of us. Jesus' forty days and forty nights prepared Him for his temptations and He was victorious as we can be, through Him. Paul knew this when he wrote one of my favorite Bible verses, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13