In just a few days, it will be the start of a new year. And with that often comes a new resolution to start things off right. For us that usually comes in the form of healthier living, learning something to better ourselves, taking up a new hobby, reaffirm a commitment to philanthropy or religion, etc. All very good and noble pursuits.

At this time, my mind turns to the beginning of Jesus ministry and the resolutions he made as displayed during his temptations (Matt 4:1-11).

  1. Stones to bread – Jesus resolved not to use his power for his own benefit, but to rely whole-heartedly on God as his provider. Jesus could have used his power to give himself something to eat. He could have relied on himself to take care of himself. This is something that I struggle with and I know that I’m not alone. I feel like I am fully capable of taking care of everything myself and if something really big comes along, then I’ll reach out to God. But God doesn’t want me calling on Him for just the ‘big’ things. He wants to be so much a part of my life, that His words are the food that give me strength each day.
  2. Testing God – Jesus resolved to trust in the Lord, no matter what. The voice of Satan came to Jesus saying “Prove it.” As though we have the authority to command God to do as we say. The thing is, God has proved Himself over and over and over. We just need to pay more attention.
  3. Worshiping something other than God – Jesus resolved not to take the easy way out, but submitted to God’s plan. When Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and offered to give them to him, well…isn’t that what Jesus came here for? To redeem all mankind from the clutches of sin? And here Satan was offering the people to Jesus AND Jesus wouldn’t have to go to the cross, which we know he didn’t want to do (Matt 26:39). But Jesus resolved to not put anything above God; not his comfort, not his desires, not even his life. God always came first. (Also, Satan bold-face lies about everything. He told Eve that she wouldn’t die – which was a lie – and he no doubt wouldn’t have delivered on his promise to Jesus either. Remember that when tempted).

Finally, what give him resolve at each temptation was the Word of God. He confronted each situation with Scripture readily available in his heart. If we memorize and meditate on Scripture to where we can just recite in any given situation, then we have the Sword of the Spirit firmly in hand ready to defend ourselves and cut down the lies.

As we begin a new year, let me encourage you to have the same resolutions as Christ.

Happy New Year!