Temptation!

For Friday, April 17, 2026:

Luke 4:13 NLT: “When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.”

Satan is like that. Jesus had passed the test, survived for 40 days in the desert, tempted at every turn. Jesus was offered food, position and territory, but he turned Satan down. He already had what he needed, the favor of God Almighty! “You shall not test the Lord your God!”

Jesus had clearly won the contest, but for Satan, it wasn’t the end. Even though defeated, Satan regroups to try again. There is no end to the misery he intends to inflict on believers. This battle will come up again and again. The devil will keep pecking away at believers until one of us fails. He’s persistent. I jokingly tell people, “Satan’s not on holiday!” He never takes a day off, and his army of little demons is constantly trying to divert our minds.

On a continuum where Jesus is at one end and evil on the other, picture yourself much closer to Jesus and his Father. As a child, play together. As an adult, play on the Jesus team. Stand up for what is fair, right and honest. Always take the high road. That’s the one Jesus will be on!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church