The Cathedral Close

When our Lord spent forty days in the wilderness He was tempted of the devil, who had tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. The outward circumstances of the two temptations were as different as possible. In Eden, Adam enjoyed everything that could minister to his comfort and happiness.  He had so much that he ought not to have desired that which was forbidden him.  By contrast, the Lord Jesus was faint through hunger, and the wilderness produced nothing that could satisfy that natural, and therefore innocent, craving for food.

In the one case Adam had every advantage that could have been given him; but in the other case the advantages were all on the side of the tempter. Yet, in the case of Jesus the tempter was repeatedly overcome, that He who overcame him might conquer on our behalf, and also teach us that in Him and through His grace we, though we are weak through the flesh, may also overcome, if we will.

Temptation comes to me sometimes as it does to all. How do I meet it? It is easy for the moment to get rid of temptations by yielding to them, especially when I may do so without anyone knowing it at the time, even if pursuing such a course must be fatal to my happiness and well-being.

Or, the sin I am at any time tempted to commit may be a little sin.  I may allow myself to think, therefore, that I may commit it with impunity. But I must remember that all sin has naturally an unfortunate tendency to grow and enlarge itself, and that little sins, if indulged in, become great sins, which often lead to very serious results.

A young person may be tempted, perhaps, to take some small sum of money, or something else that is not his own; or to commit some sin of impurity; or to spend a Sunday foolishly and improperly; but he or she little knows whereunto this may grow. It may cost him much to resist the temptation: it will certainly cost him more if he yields to it.

Prayer

Therefore, O Lord Jesus, who didst Thyself overcome temptation, help me, I pray Thee, that I, too, may always overcome. “By Thy fasting and temptation, good Lord, deliver me.” Amen.