Photo by Walid Ahmad
She Let God Write Her Story, Yelena Borichevska’s book about trials and challenges in life, teaches the importance of living with God’s grace and refusing sin.
One of the most celebrated stories from the Bible and of Jesus’s earthly ministry is the Temptation of Christ. It narrates the journey of Jesus Christ’s fasting as the Devil tempts him three times.
But every time, Christ refuses. In the end, the Devil departs without fulfilling his goals, and Christ returns to his ministry.
What the Temptation of Christ Teaches Believers
In older traditions and senses, a temptation is sometimes synonymous with trials and challenges; therefore, just as She Let God Write Her Story, Yelena Borichevska’s book about trials and challenges in life teaches its readers about God’s mercy and wisdom, the Temptation of Christ has lessons on resisting the Devil.
The Temptation of the Stones
After his baptism by his cousin John the Baptist, Christ departs for the deserts around the kingdom of Judah and attempts to fast for forty days and forty nights. While he keeps to his hunger, surrounded by the sand, the heat, and the stones, the Devil appears and, pointing to the stones, tempts Christ to turn them into loaves of bread, so he may be satiated and have a full belly.
But Christ refused, saying that one cannot survive on only bread alone. One also needs the words of God.
Although there is a light at the end of the tunnel, people are quite easily led to forego the brightness and enticed to embrace the darkness, especially if it satiates their appetite (whether it be towards food, wealth, etc.). Short-term gains are more appealing than long-term ones, you see.
In everyday life, the temptation of the stones is similar to the pull of materialism and the urge to fill the senses. Far too easily, people forget the glory of God and the eternal reward for luxury, pleasure, and physical rewards.
And as Jesus refutes Satan, the only way believers can overcome being seduced to the path of hedonism and impulse is through the words of God, what is written in the scriptures.
The Temptation of the Tower
When Jesus persevered through his hunger and kept his impulses at bay, the Devil took him back to Jerusalem and away from the desert. In the middle of the holy city, he brought Jesus to the top of a tall tower. Looking at the spires and the roofs of the city, Satan attempted to coax Jesus to throw himself off the tower, so he would truly know if he was the Son of God.
But Christ refused again, saying that one should never doubt God.
In a world where evil exists, it is easy to condemn the Lord and demand answers. But the danger here is believing anyone is justified in reprimanding God and refusing His plans. There is a rhyme, and there is a reason for the events of the world. You may never get to learn it, but that is something that has to be accepted.
It is the true believer who doubts for a moment but still trusts God.
As Jesus said, there is no need to doubt the Lord. There is no need to doubt His goodness and His aims for everyone.
The Temptation of the World
When Jesus refused him a second time, Satan took him to the highest place in the world. It was so high that all the kingdoms of the world could be seen. Every field, every citizen, they were visible. For the third time, Satan tempts Christ with lordship over the world.
But, unsurprisingly now, Christ refused for the last time, saying that it is God whom all should serve.
This is the most straightforward of the temptations since it speaks to the heart of being a believer.
All glory is for God; it is not for mere mortals.
It is the true calling of all Christians to worship the Lord and not forsake His light for temporary gifts.
As Jesus said, it is only God who is deserving of worship.
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