From the Dean of Identity and Community
Resisting Temptation: A Lesson for Us All
Last week we celebrated the commencement of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Liturgies held in House groups. As part of the liturgy, students and staff received the ashes and were asked to ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel’. But how do we do that? How do we resist life’s temptations? Temptations like indulging in the whole chocolate bar, over-scheduling our lives for fear of missing out (FOMO), or giving into the societal pressures to live an ‘Instagram worthy’ lifestyle complimented with extravagant holidays and food journeys well above our financial means.
Temptation is something we all face—adolescents, adults, and even Jesus himself. Luke’s Gospel 4:1-13 describes Jesus's journey into the wilderness immediately following his baptism by John the Baptist. His account reminds us that Jesus was not exempt from struggle. He experienced real human emotions and challenges, just as we do. Luke presents Jesus’ three temptations in a row, highlighting how intense and prolonged this trial was. Importantly, Luke also points out that Jesus was led into the wilderness by God’s Spirit. In times of temptation, we are never alone—God’s Spirit is present within us, guiding and strengthening us when we need it most.
The significance of Jesus' forty days in the wilderness reflects a pattern seen throughout biblical history. Moses spent forty days fasting and praying before receiving the Ten Commandments. The people of Israel wandered for forty years before reaching the Promised Land. The prophet Elijah endured forty days of fasting before encountering God on Mount Horeb. In the same way, Lent’s forty days invite us to reflect, seek guidance, and grow in our faith.
Temptation often disguises itself as something small or seemingly harmless. Satan tempted Jesus by suggesting he use his power for personal gain—"You’ve earned it," "It’s just a little compromise," "Think of the popularity and prestige." These are the same messages we often hear today: "Just bend the rules a little," "It’s not a big deal," "Everyone else is doing it." However, Jesus shows us the power of staying true to our values, no matter the pressure.
Leslie Dunkin once told a story about a dog he had when he was a boy. This was an unusually obedient dog. Periodically his father would test the dog’s obedience. He would place a tempting piece of meat on the floor. Then he would turn toward the dog and give the command, “No!” The dog, which must have had a strong urge to go for the meat, was placed in a most difficult situation to obey or disobey his master’s command. Dunkin said, “The dog never looked at the meat. He seemed to feel that if he did, the temptation to disobey would be too great. So he looked steadily at my father’s face.” Dunkin then made the application: “There is a lesson for us all. Always look up to the Master’s face.”
The lesson for all of us—especially in moments of struggle—is to keep our focus on what truly matters. When we feel tempted, instead of looking at the distraction, we should turn our eyes to our faith, our values, and the guidance we receive from God. Live Jesus in our Hearts, forever.
MR LACHLAN HESHUSIUS
Dean of Identity and Community (Acting)