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Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)
The Temptation of Jesus

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:

" 'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "

7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

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The devil has really laid plenty of traps of temptations around us, waiting for the chance to ensnare us for life. We have to face this truth: without the grace of God, we can never ever aim to conquer them. Even as a Christian myself, too many times have I found myself succumbing to temptation. Feeling guilty afterwards, I have to keep reminding myself to come back to God, and seek for His forgiveness.

Slowly but surely, with Lord Jesus guiding my way, falling into pits of temptations are not as often as before, and I'm sure one day I'll be able to bear His fruits, and walk strong in faith, overcoming all deadly traps the evil one has for me. Without my Lord, I am nothing, and I will be reduced to ashes at the end of days. Through Christ victory, I can be more than a conqueror.

This barren wilderness is not where I will spend my eternity. I trust my Shepherd to lead me home, to the place with God where I truly belong.