Notes of Faith October 8, 2026
Tempted as We Are
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
The New Testament clearly teaches that Jesus was “in all points, tempted as we are, yet without sin.” “In all points” means Jesus was tempted with every temptation we are. He was tempted in the wilderness of Judea by the devil, but He resisted each of the three temptations by quoting Scripture, “It is written…. It is written again…. For it is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). And He suffered when He was tempted, just as we suffer (Hebrews 2:18). Because He is able to identify with our sufferings, He is able to help all who are tempted. And His temptations had the same purpose as do ours: “Yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
God wants us to learn obedience and to gain maturity. And although we know from James 1:13 that He doesn’t tempt us to sin, He does use temptations to help us learn and grow. Not so we will sin but so we will depend on Him and His provision for resisting temptation.
Temptation always promises more than it produces.
John Blanchard
This sounds like a good name (Temptation) to add to almost every politician. So tired of the lies and wasted money that could be put to use for true good!
Do you think you were suffering when you encounter temptation? If so, then you have already moved a step toward Christ in spiritual maturity! You recognized the temptation as something that you do not want, need, or that ultimately will bring you grief, suffering and pain. There are others who need to recognize that temptation does not come from God, but rather the evil one, who only wants to deceive, kill and destroy. Jesus learned obedience from His temptations. Where do you and I find ourselves on the learning obedience scale from our temptations? Let us pray for the power and authority of the Spirit that lives within us to be the overcomers and victors that we are in Christ! Let us strive toward the obedience of Christ and though we may do intense battle through the temptations that we encounter, day by day, grow in the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, emerging victorious, pure and holy in the presence of God!
Pastor Dale