Tuesday, July 15
Things Common to Man
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man.
1 Corinthians 10:13a
Since the seventh century A.D., fingerprints have been the standard method of identifying individuals. But science has discovered new ways to establish the uniqueness of people: DNA, retina scans, hair analysis, and voice prints are some of the most commonly used methods. But there is one area shared in common by all human beings: temptation. And that includes Jesus Christ.
After all, Jesus was a man—a human being like the rest of us. And He experienced temptations, too (Matthew 4:1-11). Many new Christians are surprised to find that Jesus was not free of temptation. He was frequently tempted, but He was free of sin (Hebrews 4:15). In that regard, He was unique in human history—the only human being never to sin. When we are tempted, we have to remember that there is "nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9), including the desire to sin. Yes, the times and circumstances change, but not our fallen human nature. The lusts of the flesh are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (James 1:14).
Never use "uniqueness" as an excuse for yielding to temptation. Temptation is common to man, and victory over temptation can be common to those who face it in Jesus.
Prayer, meditation, and temptation make a minister.
Martin Luther
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Isaiah 1:1 - 4:6
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