40 Days of Seeking First the Kingdom of God
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Daily Insight:
Each temptation overcome is a step deeper into the Kingdom of God, a testament to His grace working in and through us.
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James 1:13 (CSB)
No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone.
First let’s begin with this: It’s not a sin to be tempted. Temptation is the act of being enticed or allured to sin. Sin happens only after we give into the sin. This is why we must talk about the tools we need to overcome temptations because temptation is something we all face to some degree or another. Even Jesus who was sinless faced temptation as we see in Hebrews 4:15 (CSB), “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.”
Temptation has a dual origin: it can arise from external sources, such as the world or Satan, and from internal desires within the human heart. James 1:14 clarifies this by stating that each person is tempted when they are drawn away by their own desires and enticed. The emphasis here is on the internal process of being drawn away from God's law by one's own sinful desires.
Theologically, temptation serves multiple purposes in God's sovereign plan. It tests and refines faith, reveals the true state of the heart, and drives believers to deeper dependence on God. The Christian response to temptation, as modeled by Jesus Christ, involves resisting through reliance on God's Word and prayer, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
1. Temptation Tests and Refines Our Faith
James 1:12 (CSB): Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
In the crucible of temptation, our faith is both tested and refined. Like gold purified in fire, our faith emerges stronger and more resilient when we face and overcome temptations. This process, while challenging, is integral to our spiritual growth and maturity.
Consider the example of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11). His temptation was not just a battle against hunger or pride; it was a profound testing of His faith and trust in the Father. In resisting temptation, Jesus demonstrated unwavering faith and reliance on God’s Word. He showed us that the path to overcoming temptation is not through our own strength, but through the power of Scripture and a deep trust in God.
James 1:12 provides a powerful motivation for enduring temptation. It reminds us that those who withstand trials, doing so out of love for God, are promised the "crown of life." This promise serves as an encouragement to stay faithful amidst temptations, knowing that our perseverance has eternal significance.
Furthermore, as we navigate through temptations, we gain a deeper understanding of our weaknesses and God’s strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, Paul speaks about boasting in weaknesses because it is in weakness that God’s power is made perfect. Every temptation we face is an opportunity to lean more on God and less on ourselves, allowing His strength to be displayed in our lives.
2. Temptation Reveals the True State of the Heart
Jeremiah 17:10 (CSB): I, the Lord, test the heart, I examine the mind, to reward each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.
Temptation acts as a mirror, reflecting the true condition of our hearts. It uncovers hidden desires and priorities, revealing what we truly treasure. In the face of temptation, our reactions and choices lay bare our innermost thoughts and inclinations.
Jeremiah 17:9–10 speaks to the complexity and deceitfulness of the human heart. It is often difficult for us to discern our own motives and desires. However, how we respond to temptation can provide valuable insight into the true state of our hearts. Are we easily drawn away by our desires, or do we seek to align our will with God’s will?
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve's response to temptation revealed a heart that desired autonomy over obedience (Genesis 3). Their decision to eat the forbidden fruit showed a deeper trust in their own judgment than in God's command. In the same way, our responses to temptation can reveal whether we are living in self-reliance or in dependence on God.
Moreover, temptation helps us recognize areas in our lives that require God’s transforming work. In Psalm 139:23–24, David invites God to search his heart and to lead him in the way everlasting. This kind of self-examination in light of God's truth is crucial for spiritual growth.
As we face various temptations, it is essential to ask ourselves: What does this temptation reveal about my heart? Am I seeking satisfaction, security, or significance from something other than God? These moments of introspection are opportunities for repentance and for seeking God’s grace to change our hearts and align them more closely with His.
3. Temptation Drives Believers to Deeper Dependence on God
Psalm 63:1 (CSB): God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
When faced with temptation, our natural inclination might be to rely on our own strength and wisdom to overcome. However, this approach often falls short. Temptation, in its most profound sense, serves as a reminder of our need for God, driving us to a deeper dependence on Him.
The Psalmist’s expression of thirst for God in a dry and desolate land (Psalm 63:1) can be likened to our soul's yearning for God in the midst of temptation. Just as a parched land is desperate for rain, our spirits crave God's strength and guidance when faced with challenges. This longing leads us to seek God more earnestly, acknowledging that only His power can sustain us.
Jesus Himself demonstrated this dependence during His temptation in the wilderness. After fasting for forty days and nights, He was physically weak, yet He didn’t rely on His own power to resist Satan's temptations. Instead, He depended wholly on the Father, using Scripture as His defense (Matthew 4:1–11). This exemplifies the kind of reliance on God that we are called to emulate.
Moreover, in times of temptation, prayer becomes a vital tool for seeking God’s help. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13, CSB). This petition acknowledges both our weakness in temptation and our dependence on God’s deliverance.
Temptation also serves as a catalyst for spiritual growth. In Romans 5:3-5, Paul speaks of rejoicing in our sufferings, knowing that they produce endurance, character, and hope. Trials and temptations are part of these sufferings that refine our faith and character, teaching us to rely not on our own limited resources but on God’s inexhaustible grace.
Conclusion
In the pursuit of God's Kingdom, overcoming temptation isn't just about resisting a momentary urge; it's about aligning our hearts with the priorities of the Kingdom. Each temptation we face is a crossroads where we decide: Will we seek first the Kingdom of God, or will we succumb to our fleeting desires? Remember, our struggles with temptation aren't signs of failure but moments where God's grace meets us right where we are. It's in these moments that we truly understand what it means to seek His Kingdom – not as a far-off ideal, but as a present and living reality in our daily choices. So, let's face these temptations not with a sense of dread, but with the assurance that each victory is a step closer to the heart of God, a testament to His work in us, and a deeper experience of His Kingdom here and now.