“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15; NASB)

Have you really thought lately about what the Creator of the universe did for you (and the rest of mankind)? Long ago, a man called Job made a statement about his relationship with God. He said: “For He is not a man as I am that I may answer Him, that we may go to court together. There is no umpire between us, who may lay his hand upon us both” (Job 9:32–33; NASB). Job was speaking of his frustration that there wasn’t anyone in the flesh he could plead his case to who could understand his pain. He didn’t know at that time Jesus would be arriving on the scene over two thousand years later to remedy that issue.

Jesus Christ, our “high priest”, left His deity to come to earth as a man. He experienced all the temptations we do. Those temptations come in three general areas and have been used by the devil to lure us into sin since the beginning of man’s existence. John names those areas as (1) the lust of the eyes, (2) the lust of the flesh, and (3) the pride of life (1 John 2:16). We’re told how the devil used them in the Garden (Gen. 3:1-6), and with Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).  Everything the devil throws at us falls into one or more of these areas. It is our job to ask God to show us where we are susceptible to these areas of temptation, and then to prayerfully shut them down.

Because we will battle with the flesh as long as we are in this world, we will have times when we will fall to temptation. Jesus understands how this can cause us pain and discouragement. We can call on Him to intercede between us and the Father. He knows from personal experience how much we need that intercession. It is because of that understanding that the Word tells us:

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Jesus Christ’s death on the cross defeated the devil’s power over us. By accepting Him as Lord and Savior are able to stand strong in the face of temptation and proclaim the name of Jesus as our power to deny that temptation. God’s grace and mercy are far beyond our understanding but you can trust He is faithful and with you through all things.

Have a great week and God bless.