Daily devotional Day 68

Satan uses this natural strength we live with to destroy us. This is what Satan tried to do with Jesus during the temptation in the desert. He appealed to Christ's natural appetites and tendencies. Remember, He was born of a woman. He had human passions of the body and soul. He was "tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He did not need salvation as we do to deal with our genetic nature, but He was just as much a natural man as any other person. It says in the scripture that He understands. The Holy Spirit had driven him into the desert "for to be tempted of the devil." It was His Father's will for Him. He was being tested to see if He was ready to fulfill His purpose.

This is what the temptation or test was about. When we pass the test, it gives us the confidence we need to move forward in our work. He fasted 40 days and was able to still maintain self-control over His natural man's influence that wanted to dominate His desires and actions. He overcame His compulsions in the face of those temptations and overcame it from the inside out. He passed the test. He could then say, "Satan has nothing in me" (John 14:30).

Satan, through using our own natural strength and appetites as leverage, has a powerful grip on us. That is why he tempts us with evil. He distracts us from God's voice. It isn't just the thoughts in our minds. It is the strength we are using to respond without God's influence. Jesus had to defeat this tendency of self-dependence, independent living in the natural man. In all points He said," I do nothing of myself or independently I only do what I see the Father do." This is how we too can defeat the enemy, by only doing those things we see the Father do. In order to accomplish this, we must be connected with the Holy Spirit 24 hours a day 7 days a week in an abiding life. This walk with and in Christ is the only way to a life worth living!

What temptations, desires, affections, or fears make you act compulsively and independent from God? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything the devil can use to separate you from the voice of God. Ask Him to empower you to take the time necessary to pause and listen for His voice, so that you too may say, "I only do those things I see the Father do" and "Satan can not find anything in me".