Tempted
by Anonymous

Matthew 1-11, The Temptation of Christ - by Anonymous
1. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. 3. The tempter came to Him and said: "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4. Jesus answered, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." 5. Then the devil took Him to the Holy City and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the son of God", he said, "Throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Jesus answered him, "It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you", he said, "if you will bow down and worship me".

Jesus said to him, "Away from me Satan. For it is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him. God brought to my mind that promise is not a promise unless it is tested. Otherwise, it is just words.

These past forty days, my promise to God to stay faithful to my husband in spite of the circumstances was tested. Specifically, in the following way, but thanks be to God: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out, so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

After what had been a time of tremendous uplifting in ministry, I found myself wandering in the desert alone. Being alone, I was first tempted with the thought of how I was going to be able to sustain myself with a limited income, displaced from my home and no clear vision of what the future might hold. Ahead of me was the threat of a legal battle, court fees and hardship.

3. The tempter came to Him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4. Jesus answered, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

So I found the devil would tempt me by threatening my need for security.

5. Then the devil took Him to the Holy City and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6. "If you are the Son of God", he said, "throw yourself down; for it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." 7. Jesus answered him, "It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

My husband's rejection of me was as if I had to take a step into the future without a net above a bottomless pit. But God was faithful and did not allow me to be overcome with despair. He was my security, and resting in that, I thank God He did not allow me to be ruled by hopelessness and fear. Thirdly, and perhaps the most challenging, the devil tempted me with pride. 3. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all of the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you", he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10. Jesus said to him, "Away from me Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only".

The devil's greatest temptation was to seek and find my security in rich men that would be able to provide me with a lavish lifestyle. God made it clear to me that HE was my most significant relationship and that HE would protect me, no matter what. I thank my God that by His grace, I did not sin against Him by seeking another relationship outside of my marriage. God protected me and kept me from breaking my covenant, but staying true to His promise to be my Provider and the Protector of my soul! Living in that security has been one of the greatest lessons. I am having to learn; and one of the lessons I am most grateful for. The Lord has restored my marriage relationship and I am happy to report that my husband and I are both changed people. God has allowed us to be apart for awhile, to become both stronger Christians and through that process better partners. God is so good! I continue to be amazed at His Wisdom and Grace in our lives.