FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry." Luke 4:1

"I could never have the strength to resist temptation like Jesus did."

Have you heard people make similar statements? We feel inadequate because we are. Look at the scripture again. It does not say Jesus decided to test God so he went out alone and refused to eat. Radicals might claim Jesus had an eating disorder and he was going to take control of the situation over which he believed he was losing control—his own destiny.

"Okay God, you’re going to make me do your will, but you can’t make me eat!" Extremists might claim this was how Jesus took a stand with his Heavenly Father. It is amazing how some people interpret scripture.

Let’s look again. Luke 4:1 says that Jesus was first filled with the Holy Spirit. Then, he didn’t decide to test God, he was led by God, through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus obeyed.

Temptations are all around us, from the quiet discussions inside our own mind, to the visible choices we make. We argue with ourselves over the "politeness" of speaking up for the cause of Christ. We doubt our ability to accomplish a task the Almighty has called us to do! We also see no harm in striking up a friendship with a particularly good looking new co-worker, or shave a little off our income tax liability. These are all temptations. To rise above the temptations, first become solid from the inside out by allowing yourself to be filled by the Holy Spirit.

We allow ourselves to be filled when we ask God to move into our lives and take up residence as our invited guest. But, never treat Him like a guest, someone who comes and then goes. Integrate Him into yourself so he Lives in us as we live in Him. Then, when temptation comes, it is the indwelling Spirit of God who resists, not the earthly part of us. Let us pray:

"Father of Love and Hope, you are holy, holy, holy. We bow down before your name and your presence and ask that your Holy Spirit may come and make your home within us. We are weak but you are strong. Only you can stand face-to-face with temptation and be the victor. For this miracle in our lives we praise you, God of Glory. Forgive us when we have been arrogant and thought we could resist the powers of evil on our own. Thank you for your constantly abiding within me even before I knew you were there. And thank you for the sacrifice of your precious son, Jesus, in whose me we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

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