Led Up By the Spirit.

Matthew 4:1 says one of the most interesting statements in the Bible. It reads, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” We look at this and wonder why the Spirit would lead Jesus into a place to be tempted. Why is this a big issue? Well check out James 1:13 which says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.”

However, in Matthew, we see God, in the person of Jesus being tempted, and the Spirit of God leading Him to temptation. If you look closely at the two verses, you can see one difference. Matthew says “led”, as for James, he says, “tempt”. Now, we can be safe and say that God can bring us to a place of temptation, but I do think it’s a little extreme to say that God tempts us.

However, another question comes up. Why would God want us to go through temptation anyway? The answer simply is to give Himself the most glory possible. If we come out of the temptation then we praise God for the strength that He has given us. However, all of us know that sometimes, if not most, we fail the test of temptation. How does God receive glory when we fail?

Well, we can say that probably wasn’t God’s favorite way of receiving glory, having people fall into sin, for He hates sin. On the other hand, He loves redemption, because He sent His son to save those who walk in sin that they should turn to Wisdom and walk in the light.

So what happens when we fail the test? Ephesians 6:10-17 gives us the answer. It states, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Pursue these pieces of armor, and flee evil. – Forsake All