The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Matthew 4:3-4

None of us are immune to temptation. So let me tell you two things that might surprise you about this experience we all have in common. First, we are tempted by things that will be useful to us. You and I are not tempted with something that we have no need for. For example, I’m not tempted to own a Maserati because it has no practical purpose for me. However, you and I are tempted with things that we sense are a great need – what will either literally or figuratively fill us. Jesus was tempted initially with food because after forty days, he was hungry. 

Second, temptation reveals who we are. If we’re wise, we will take note of our temptations because they have a way of revealing what’s driving our hearts and our actions. As Thomas à Kempis wrote, “Temptation reveals our instability and our lack of trust in God….Peace is not found by escaping temptations, but by being tried by them” (The Imitation of Christ). 

During this time of fasting, this purposeful deprivation, pay attention to what comes out of your heart. This is the beginning of understanding what you’re subtly pouring into your heart to “fill” you.

Father, I’m tempted to think of temptation simply as “stop doing the bad.” Reveal to me how my temptations are really the things that make me think I can manage my life without you. Let me not ignore them but use them just as Jesus did in the desert to press into your heart.