Scripture to Read: Luke 20:9-18
God the Father has given us His Word to guide us, feed us, encourage us, challenge us, mold us, transform us, and so much more. God’s Truth, as God tells us in Hebrews 4:12, “is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” As Jesus shared the Parable of the Vine-growers with the chief priests, scribes, and elders, their hearts, thoughts, and intentions were definitely judged. We see in Luke 20:16, their response to Jesus, “May it never happen!” These religious leaders could not even fathom God doing something like this to them. Matthew Henry’s commentary says it this way, “It is the folly of sinners, that they persevere in sinful ways, though they dread the destruction at the end of those ways.” These religious leaders were so blinded by their sin that the destruction ahead of them could not seem possible. We must keep our eyes wide open by fellowshipping with our Heavenly Father and feeding on His rich Word every day of our lives. Temptation comes to each of us every day and the only way to overcome those temptations is by the sword of the Spirit and our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 5:4-5; Psalms 119:9). Pursuing intimacy with our God takes work (Philippians 2:12), but the benefits are beyond our comprehension (Ephesians 3:20).
Challenge & Application
1. What did you learn from God and His Word today about overcoming temptation?
2. What will you do different each day to walk in victory and not defeat?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!