Strength for the Battle

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone.’” And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13

The best counselors are often those who have been through problems themselves. Because they have worked through similar emotions and struggled to overcome trials, they can offer accurate advice. No one wants to confide in counselors who take a cold textbook approach to difficulties they’ve never confronted.

In Jesus Christ, you have a Counselor who has truly been through it all as the uncompromised and holy Victor. Hebrews 4:15 says: “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

Imagine the turmoil Jesus felt when Satan plied Him with crafty words. He knows the devil’s cunning arguments better than anyone. When you struggle mentally or when you feel the strong pull of sin urging you to do something you knows isn’t right, you have a Savior who can say, “I know just how you feel.”

Christ came to earth in human form to do more than die for your sins and bring you eternal life. He lived, ate, slept, taught, and walked among us to identify with every nuance of your heartaches and trials. You never face temptation alone. The Savior who understands is there to give you strength for the battle.