“He Himself has suffered, being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18)

This is good news for saints. Jesus was tempted as you are. Have you understood the significance of this? He was tempted to sin like you. Don’t avoid Christ when you’re tempted. Anything you suffer, He suffered before you. Any fight you fight, Jesus stood foot to foot with the same enemy. So be encouraged … Christ carried the load before you, and the path you walk is covered with His blood.

Even though He was tempted, He never sinned, and if you are IN Christ, you don’t have to sin. “Knowing this, that our Old Man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:6–7).

As His member, you have the power to not sin. “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones” (Ephesians 5:30) Jesus is the representative man for His people; the Head has triumphed, and the members share in the victory.

Some baby Christians think if they’re tempted, they’ve sinned. There’s no sin in being tempted, only in yielding to temptation. When you’re tempted, reflect on the fact that Christ didn’t sin, and now His resurrection power is within you (Romans 8:11).

Your place of safety is Christ. Perhaps you are tempted, in order to drive you nearer to Him.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Greek word translated “bear it” means “stay under”. For the Christian, this means “stay submitted to the Lordship of Christ”.

So when you’re tempted, run to Christ and stay there.

.