Luke 4:3 -The
devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become
bread.”
When playing games, whether Chess, Bridge, or Medal of Honor, there are many times you have an opportunity to take a piece, a trick, or an opponent that may give a short term victory but ultimately result in loss of the game. Jesus’ first temptation was like that. Verse two says he was hungry. Satan reminded him that as the Son of God, he had the power to turn stones into bread. In the short term, he could have eaten and satisfied his hunger. In the long term, he would have lost his ultimate victory.
So much of
the temptation we face is like that. We can
do it. It may bring short term benefit or pleasure, but we will ultimately lose
what matters most. An indiscretion with a cohort, a fudged tax return, even
that extra cookie may seem like a “win” at the time, but it is no fun to win a
short battle and ultimately lose the war. Remember, you do not have to give in.
When temptation comes, keep in mind the long term goal and seek God’s help to
say no.
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