Prepare for Testing

In Matthew 4:1, the Bible says that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. It was a time of testing in His life that came on the heels of a monumental victory--His baptism by John. The Lord's baptism was a demonstration of His perfect obedience to His Father. It showed His complete submission to His Father's will. As the perfect Son of God, Jesus had no need to participate in a baptism for sinners. Yet His submission to John's baptism was a way of identifying with sinners. As the Lamb of God, He was demonstrating how He would bear the sins of mankind in His own body on the cross. Thus, His baptism was a great victory and a spiritual high note.

On the heels of this victory, Jesus is led into the wilderness where He is tempted and tested. Thankfully, we have a Savior who passed the test perfectly! Yet it illustrates how times of testing often follows times of victory, times where you have been obedient to God. In 1 Corinthians 10:12, Paul warns, "Let him who thinks he stand take heed that he does not fall." In the aftermath of personal success, you and I are often tempted to think that we were solely responsible for our success, and the result of that pride is vulnerability. We often set ourselves up for failure. We may be tempted to think that the accomplishment came from our own clever strength or ability. Many a believer has fallen into the trap of pride and self-reliance.

What temptation often comes your way after some accomplishment or victory? How are you able to resist pride and defeat? It will only come as you bow before Christ as your supply of strength, even if you think that you can manage on your own. "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."