Tested
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (tested) by the devil." — Matthew 4:1 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, The Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity, led you, the Son of God, into the wilderness. Wilderness (eremon) indicates it was a secluded, solitary place. There, you were tempted by the devil. The Greek word used is peirasthenai . Depending on the context, it can also mean "to test" or "to examine." Matthew 4:11 describes the outcome of this particular test, "Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." I've heard the expression that the test comes when the student is ready. My times of testing—whether a test from God or a temptation from the enemy—reveal what I have learned. But probably more often, those times of testing show the gaps in my instruction. When I am tested, I see what I still need to learn. Lord, thank you for tests, trials, and temptations. They aren't pl...