Overcoming temptation

This morning I am grateful for God's faithfulness to me, when I find myself in the midst of temptation.
Yesterday my pastor spoke from Matthew 4 on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.  Verse 1 really struck an unusual chord with me...."Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.".  It is sobering to think that the Spirit would lead Him out to a place where He would be tempted.  Why?

Though I'm not certain.  I wonder if it was to give us the perfect example of what to do when temptation arises in our lives.  Jesus, when faced with bold-faced temptations from the devil, went straight to the Word of God and used Truth to defy every single temptation Satan threw at Him.  Oh that I could be so acquainted with Scripture that it is my first thought in the face of temptation!

I think God knew that Jesus could be victorious in the face of such stark temptation, so He allowed the temptation to occur.  So, could that be the case in my life too?  Could it be that God knows His power and Spirit can make me victorious in the face of temptation and so, in order to bring me victory, He allows such occasions to come about in my life?  

What if God knows I am capable of more than I think I am because of how He is maturing me in His love and grace?  What a perfect opportunity to gain confidence in His faithfulness and claim the power of His Holy Spirit, by surrendering to His will and NOT succumb to my own desire.

At first glance, the idea of the Spirit taking me to a place where I will be tempted seems scary!  However, I Corinthians 10:13  says that God is faithful and won't allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear....or beyond what His grace and power can enable me to overcome.  All I need to do is trust Him.  Because He is FAITHFUL, I am confident that His Spirit will only lead me to places where I can be victorious through Him!

He is faithful......so I must be faith-FILLED!