July 24

Read: Matthew 3:16 t:11

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matthew 4:1).

Temptation And Desire

A sincere young woman, seeking to live the sanctified life, asked her pastor: “If I had been sanctified wholly, I certainly wouldn’t have felt this way, would I?” Here is a point where the devil often tries to defeat us.

In all genuine temptation we are aware of powerful inner urges. The Bible tells us, “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own desire” (James 1:14, Wesley’s translation). The question of the distraught soul is, Are these desires of mine a sign that carnality still reigns within? Or are they such experiences of temptation as are consistent with the indwelling Holy Spirit?

It will help us if we remember that Jesus himself was tempted immediately after the Spirit of God descended upon our Lord was also tempted through the channels of His most insistent desires. He was hungry and was tempted to do the wrong thing to get satisfaction. He wanted men to know the power of God, and was tempted to resort to a selfish display for proof. Because He yearned for the loyalty of men from all kingdoms He was tempted to try a short cut to HIS goal.

The devil often tempts us through our strong human desires. But in the sanctified heart there is a desire that is greater than any of these. The sanctified man honestly desires to do the whole will of God. We are always safe when we test the reality of our sanctification against this desire, and we are always in danger if we test it against any other.

My desire, to be like Jesus; My desire, to be like Him. His Spirit fill me, His love o’erwhelm me-­ In deed and word, to be like Him.*

Copyright William Plankenhorn. Used by permission.