Then Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Mat 4:1-11)
There is a profound difference between experiencing temptation and letting it sway us from what we know. The devil tempted Jesus, but Jesus never wavered or entertained any thoughts contrary to the truth He knew about Himself and His Heavenly Father. As believers and followers of Christ, who are recreated and reborn into a new nature, we understand our position with God through Christ.
In our spiritual journey, we are not merely defending ourselves against the enemy; we are actively advancing, boldly seizing the inheritance Christ secured for us through His sacrifice. Our thoughts, words, and actions emanate from the secure and immovable position we hold in Christ, rather than striving to attain it. It is this unshakeable faith that acts as our shield, extinguishing all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Our faith in who we are in Christ—coheirs with Him of all heavenly blessings and recipients of the indwelling Holy Spirit, a seal and deposit of our inheritance—is foundational. We do not engage in every mental and physical battle as if we are uncertain of our identity or fearful of losing it. Christ has overcome the world, and thus we no longer see ourselves from a merely human perspective.
Just as a king quickly embraces and believes in his new position without constant reassurance or fear of losing it, we too are assured of our new nature—holy, righteous, and pure. This assurance does not stem from our own efforts but from our new nature, recreated by God, who has raised us up with Christ to a new life. Our minds are free from the fear of reverting to our old selves, which have been crucified with Christ and are no longer.
In Christ, we are spiritually renewed, clothed with His righteousness, possessing His mind, and seated with Him in the heavenly realms. This new perspective transforms us, giving us a renewed mind. We must recognize and embrace our true identity in Christ, a truth that transcends the temporary enticements of this world and the devil's attempts to lure us away.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, relinquishing what no longer matters and emptying yourself of what is inconsequential. Through the blood of Christ, you have been given not only salvation and the forgiveness of sins but a whole new life to live from your new position. Your place in the Lord is steadfast and secure, surpassing the value of all temporal things.
While we often think about God's ability to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, let us remember that what He has already done for us and what we now possess in Christ is beyond our comprehension. Know, understand, and acknowledge God and His mighty works. Be filled to overflowing with God's vision, which is now yours in Christ.