The first thing Jesus did...
Illustration
The first thing Jesus did after his baptism was to go off into the wilderness. There he was tempted by Satan. This parallels our Christian life. Often, the first thing that happens after an event that yields a spiritual high, like baptism or confirmation, is that we are tempted to diminish the importance of that event. The Tempter loves it when the sacraments are transformed into "no big deal." We are encouraged to avoid repenting, to go back to life just the way it was before the spiritual event. Our first temptation as Christians is to lay aside the changes Christ has made in our lives.
Have you ever driven to church as a family and fought in the car? Satan loves it when we arrive at church in an unreceptive frame of mind. Have you ever driven home from church and argued? Satan is delighted when the spiritual high of worship is diffused with infighting. We are tempted all the time to blind ourselves to the godly living that is encouraged through worship. Like Jesus, we need to actively resist temptation.
Have you ever driven to church as a family and fought in the car? Satan loves it when we arrive at church in an unreceptive frame of mind. Have you ever driven home from church and argued? Satan is delighted when the spiritual high of worship is diffused with infighting. We are tempted all the time to blind ourselves to the godly living that is encouraged through worship. Like Jesus, we need to actively resist temptation.
