One of the deceits of temptation is the aggressive internal argument that we can’t help what we do. That we have no control over our thoughts and actions and thus have no choice but to act out a destructive pattern of behavior that we constantly regret.
In truth, we do have control over our thoughts and actions. We are children of God that reflect divine Mind’s ability to think right, act right and do right.
We can learn from Jesus’ example.
When Jesus was tempted by the devil to seek worldly glory, fame and fortune in the episode of the three temptations, Jesus demonstrated that the devil had no power over his thinking.
Jesus successfully resisted every temptation of the devil and warded it off.
If the devil did have power over Jesus, the devil would not have just stood there and suggest that Jesus jump off the pinnacle of the temple. The devil would have pushed him over the edge. But the devil could not touch Jesus. The devil couldn’t do anything to Jesus. Absolutely nothing! Evil’s suggestions were powerless to affect Jesus, and Jesus understood this truth.
Jesus ended the devil’s effort to shape his course of action with his final declaration, “Get out of here, Satan,”…“For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him’” (Matthew 4:10, NLT).
So, when faced with temptation, put temptation in its right place, of no place. It has no power over you. It cannot make you think or act. Divine Mind gives you mastery over your thoughts to think right, act right and do right.
Live to serve God and prove your exemption from vain and empty temptation.
I appreciate the new insight I have into this story! I hadn’t thought about the fact that Satan didn’t have the power to actually hurt Jesus; instead, Satan tried to convince Jesus to believe in evil and be tempted to do something harmful. As always in CS, it boils down to thought and understanding. Thanks for this, Evan! It really is timely.