Resist temptations with God’s power

March 6, First Sunday of Lent
Daily Readings:  Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Romans 10:8-13, Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

The English word "temptation" has its origin in the Latin word "temptatio," which means trial.

In Christian life, the temptation is "a trial in which one has a free choice of being faithful or unfaithful to God.

In the Gospel reading, the devil tempts Jesus. Quoting the Holy Scriptures, Jesus resists all the offers of the devil. The former encourages the latter to deviate from the father’s plan by misusing his authority and privileges.

In general, temptations are mere attractions or invitations. As shown in the Gospel, the Devil's temptations are dubious, tricky, and evil, though they may appear to appease and delight as good, positive, and productive. The intentions of the devil and the results that may follow are not genuine and authentic.

In short, the devil wants us to deviate from God’s plan by offering lofty promises that go against God. We are trapped in sin when we give in or follow the devil’s offer. And we need to make use of our freedom and free will prudently and conscientiously to remain faithful to God.

As human beings, we will always face temptations in life. We need to have spiritual armor to resist temptations that come in whatever form they may come in—subtle or otherwise.

At the beginning of Lent, one must strengthen one’s guts to remain anchored to God. It is impossible to resist the devil with human capability, but with God’s power, we can.

Therefore, like Jesus, we need to be led by the Holy Spirit, embrace humility, continue to enrich our lives by reading, reflecting, and following the Scriptures, and be ready to sacrifice for the sake of obeying God’s ways.