Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1–2
If someone is attacked or feels threatened, it is common to
be defensive. For example, if soldiers suddenly find themselves under attack
from an enemy, they will most likely take up a defensive position. Similarly,
when we feel personally attacked by another or are tempted by the devil, we
will often try to defend ourselves. However, within the worlds of games, sports
and military activity, there is a common adage that says, “the best defense is
a good offense.” In other words, the best way to keep the opponent from winning
is to go on the offensive rather than to sit back and take up a defensive position.
In many ways, this is what Jesus did when He entered the
desert. He was aware that the evil one wanted to destroy Him. Therefore, when
Jesus entered the desert for 40 days to pray and fast, He did so in a sort of
offensive attack upon the devil. Jesus’ temptations in the desert were not
primarily difficulties He had to endure and resist. Rather, they were first and
foremost ineffective attacks from the evil one, because Jesus had already
embraced the opposite virtues.
What temptations and sins are among your greatest struggles?
In what ways do you find yourself experiencing defeat? In what ways have you
taken up a defensive position to try to overcome your struggles? Too often we
approach temptations in the wrong way. We see them as attacks from the evil one
that we must resist and defend ourselves against. And though that is true, it
is not the full truth. The full truth is that the best way to overcome the
struggles we face is to confront them directly in a vigorous and offensive way
by choosing the opposite virtue.
Consider the three temptations Jesus overcame in the desert:
gluttony, vainglory and greed. Jesus’ entrance into the desert for those 40
days was the way by which He destroyed these temptations before they were even
presented to Him. By voluntarily choosing to fast from food for those 40 days,
Jesus rendered the temptation toward gluttony ineffective. By choosing the
humility of entering into the solitude of the desert to be alone with His
Father, Jesus robbed the temptation toward vainglory of its power. By choosing
a life of poverty and simplicity, He overcame any temptation toward earthly
wealth, even before it was offered to Him.
As we begin this forty-day Lenten journey, reflect, today,
upon the sins and temptations in your life that need to be overcome. If you
find yourself in an ongoing defensive position toward certain struggles,
especially if you find yourself losing the battle at times, it’s time to change
your strategy. Embrace the opposite virtue of the sins you are most tempted
with this Lent. Embrace those virtues in an offensive manner. Choose kindness
if you struggle with anger. Choose fasting if you struggle with gluttony.
Choose generosity if you struggle with greed. Whatever your struggle, turn to
the virtue you need the most and make it your focus this Lent so that you, too,
will be well-prepared to reject the evil one and his lies when temptation comes
your way.
My tempted Lord, You resisted all temptation in Your life by
choosing every good virtue and living them to perfection. Please help me to see
the virtues I need the most right now and give me the strength I need to run
toward them this Lent with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.