Life of the Church: Temptations of the Heart

As we enter this new year of dependence on God, we must continually be reminded of our why. Asking what our “why” is keeps us near dependency. Our why reveals where we have given into temptation, and invites dependence. Jesus knew his “why.” It was his identity, his mission from the Father, that kept Him in step through every temptation. It is from Jesus that we learn how to steward what God is doing, the dreams He has given, and the words He has spoken. In Matthew 4v1-11 Jesus faced three temptations familiar to every human heart: the temptation to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful. His solution - resting in his God-given identity as the Beloved. Deeper knowing, deeper loving, and deeper trusting of Him squashes every temptation that would invite us to build our own kingdom. Only then are we able to enjoy however He answers when we ask, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”