Temptation

Do you have an inner voice? Are they kind to you? Are they a negative nagger, or a positive cheerleader? Does your conscience (or whatever you call this internal voice) put you down, tell you you’re an imposter, or not good enough, or do they tell you that you are a worthy person, loved and appreciated?
If negative internal voices weren’t bad enough, the external world is quick to tempt you, telling you with its marketing persuasiveness what a better person you would be if only you used a more expensive skin care product, worked harder, bought a classier car, travelled on more exotic holidays . . . . . the list goes on and on.
Studies found that we are all exposed to up 10,000 subliminal advertising messages each day. Is it any wonder we find it difficult to tune into a more caring voice? The voice that tells us that we are enough, perfect just the way we are, and beloved.
The voice of the Devil is insidious and persuasive. He knows all our weak points, and how to persuade us away from God’s path. Even Jesus had to suffer the Devil’s wiles when he tempted Him in the wilderness. After forty days of fasting in the desert, Jesus still had the strength to banish the Devil, and all his temptations. Jesus trusted in God, had faith in His purpose, and was truly Abiding with God, every moment of His journey on Earth. He was familiar with the voice of God, listening to Him always, and could discern the voice of truth, and stay strong in purpose.
This power of discernment, of learning whose voice to listen to, is one we all need to continually practise and strengthen.
The season of Lent is so much more than just giving up wine or chocolate. Lent is a time of deliberate quiet, of removing ourselves from external distractions, of listening to our inner voices, and learning to discern which voice is the true voice of God. Lent is a time of reading Scripture, on meditating on what we read, and asking God for His help in our understanding. It is a time of listening and learning.
Resisting temptation is not refusing to listen to the voice of the devil, but recognising his purpose, ignoring his blandishments, and making the wiser choice to listen to God, instead.
Jesus was using His time in the desert to prepare Himself for the forthcoming trials He would have to face, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice of His life, for our sakes. When we recognise and come to deeply understand the gift of our Lord’s sacrifice, then we understand how much we are loved, and live our lives in grace. We are lifted from sin and punishment, listening and abiding in the presence of God.
John 3:16 says “For God loved the world so much, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I pray we all find a calm place this Lent season to quieten our minds, and to practise listening to God, so that we regain our strength, and abide with Him, each and every new day. AMEN.