"The Battle Within"- Session 4

There have been a number of things that I have really enjoyed as we have worked through this series on temptation. One of those things has to do with how Jesus approached each of the temptations that he faced. So often I think we can get a viewpoint of Jesus that makes us think that although He was human in the flesh and became like us, there is still often a disconnect between us and Him. I mean, although he was human, he was still God in some capacity and I know for me, I often look at that as Jesus having a "leg up" on me...especially when it comes to temptation...as if He had some big secret that didn't make the temptations as unbearable and difficult For Him, as they are for us...ever feel that way?

But here is the cool thing that I have learned throughout these four weeks...Jesus was more like us than we sometimes think...and that gives me hope...when scripture says that he is a high priest who has been tempted just like us, yet was without sin (Hebrews 4), we know that we can find comfort in Him. In fact we can run to him, the one who sympathizes with us, and we can find grace and confidence for our daily battles of temptation.

We saw this evident on Sunday night...Jesus faced what I believe was probably one of the strongest temptations He would face in Matthew 4. The temptation to pursue the right thing in the wrong way. This was a temptation 30 years in the making. One of Jesus' biggest "goals" in coming to earth was to win back authority on earth (Matthew 28). A great goal with eternal significance...however, this was a goal that would lead him on a road of persecution, abandonment, hatred, pain, blood, death, and ultimately, separation from His father. Satan knew this was would be the road to this goal...and he knew Jesus was vulnerable, this is why He offers Him a corner-cutting solution to this goal...in a sense, He tells Him..."don't trust your Father, cut some corners, forget about all that you will have to go through, just bow down to me...and it is yours." His goal of winning back authority was in his grasp...yet Jesus recognized His need to worship His Father. And worship consists of trust...trust that God had a plan to overcome sin and death, and take back authority...and what hung in the balance was Jesus' life and a wooden cross. Jesus measured His options...bow down now and give into Satan's temptation, or trust in His Father's plan...and because Jesus trusted in God, he has provided an example for us to trust in God's ultimate plan for our lives as well...

Temptation is never really a matter of self-control, but rather do we trust God...do you?

Use these thoughts, questions, and scripture passages to help guide you throughout this week as you look to apply these truths to your life. Plan to come grow and share at Matt and Amanda's this Thursday night at 7pm. Hope you can make it!

1. How has God gifted you? What are some of your talents, and how do you desire to use those talents to fulfill your passions and goals?

2. How might you be tempted to cut some corners with regards to those goals and not trust in God's ultimate plan for your life?

3. Why are we sometimes tempted to rationalize God's principles and standards in an effort to fulfill our goals instead of relying on Him?

4. Read Hebrews 4:14-16...does this passage give you hope when facing trials and temptations? Why or why not?

5. Trusting that God actually has a plan for your life is really tough sometimes because we can't physically see it...because of this, the cross becomes that must more important for us to keep centered in our daily lives, because it is there that we know we can trust that God has a plan for our lives...how often do you think about the cross?

6. Has your view of Jesus and the idea of temptation changed at all since we started looking at this topic?

We hope to see you Thursday night!