Have you ever done Archery?
It’s a great sport! There is so much romanticised skill portrayed by the media! You can see it in every second person that comes and tries it.
They really want to hit the middle of the target, but they just don’t (for various reasons) And you can see the frustration and confusion when they were sure that they would hit the dead center middle of the target and then it sits way left or right (or even misses the butt altogether. But if they don’t quit then and there, you can work with them a little. Change some posture, adjust the bow a bit. Teach them a technique or two, and slowly but surely, they get closer and closer to the goal.
Oddly enough, often there is a friend or partner or parent accompanying that doesn’t understand the process. And you will frequently hear the comments: “Just aim in the middle!” (Like the poor archer isn’t trying their absolute best to do just that!)
Missing the target isn’t failure, it’s just an indication that some more effort is needed. Outside help is needed. Perseverance is needed. And choosing to go again…
As I was studying, I revisited the part in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 where Jesus is tempted for 40 days in the desert.
I occurred to me that, as Jesus is our example to follow in everything (no… don’t go throw around tables at the church fair!) …maybe He is the example to follow in temptation?
Now, the obvious, first glance lesson here is: If you know your bible, you can counter the devil in all things with the truth.
Luke gives us a slightly deeper lesson:
”Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness…”
(Luke 4:1 NIV)
The power to resist comes from two things. The decision to resist, and then the power of the Holy Spirit that gives you the strength to resist and endure.
But then, there is a deeper, unwritten lesson that you can only know if you have struggled with the Bible a bit, and have started to understand, ever so slightly, how the Fatherheart of God cares for his children.
Did God create temptation?
That is a next level question! But I am starting to think that He might have… (but before you grab the pitchforks… hear me out…)
From the Greek, peirazó, or the root, peira to examine, to go about, to prove, to test. The Greek for temptation has a deeper meaning…
The devil uses this test of temptation for evil. To break marriages, to break partnerships, to destroy relationships. The Devil uses this thing to create guilt in you. The devil uses this as an anchor to weigh you down: “Look! You failed again! You are worthless. You are not Good enough. You destroy everything that comes close to you.”
But…
The Holy Spirit uses the same to prove your character.
Jesus wasn’t tempted for 40 days to test His bible knowledge. He was tested for 40 days because the Holy Spirit used that time to prove His character as a fully human man.
So perhaps it is time to shift our perspective? The next time temptation hits, maybe consider that this attempt to trip you up for a fall, is an opportunity that the Holy Spirit is taking to prove your character.
Let us heed Paul in this:
”Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
(Colossians 3:5 NIV)
Trying to do this own is not easy. It’s like aiming in the middle and just not hitting the target at all. We need outside help to change our ways. We need a coach. We need a helper. Jesus is that Coach, the Holy Spirit is that Helper. You can want to break the temptation all you want, but it will be hard, (if not impossible) without help.
But the good thing is. Just like every arrow shot, is gone… (you cannot redo a shot already taken)… , every temptation is also in the past.
The next one is your opportunity to prove your character. To take hold of Christ, and break the cycle.
Be blessed and watch out for speed-bumps on your day!
