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Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by
the devil. Luke 4:1–2
If someone is attacked or feels threatened, it is common to be
defensive. For example, if soldiers suddenly find themselves under
attack from an enemy, they will most likely take up a defensive
position. Similarly, when we feel personally attacked by another or
are tempted by the devil, we will often try to defend ourselves.
However, within the worlds of games, sports and military activity,
there is a common adage that says, “the best defense is a good
offense.” In other words, the best way to keep the opponent from
winning is to go on the offensive rather than to sit back and take
up a defensive position.
In many ways, this is what Jesus did when He entered the desert. He
was aware that the evil one wanted to destroy Him. Therefore, when
Jesus entered the desert for 40 days to pray and fast, He did so in
a sort of offensive attack upon the devil. Jesus’ temptations in
the desert were not primarily difficulties He had to endure and
resist. Rather, they were first and foremost ineffective attacks
from the evil one, because Jesus had already embraced the opposite
virtues.
What temptations and sins are among your greatest struggles? In
what ways do you find yourself experiencing defeat? In what ways
have you taken up a defensive position to try to overcome your
struggles? Too often we approach temptations in the wrong way. We
see them as attacks from the evil one that we must resist and
defend ourselves against. And though that is true, it is not the
full truth. The full truth is that the best way to overcome the
struggles we face is to confront them directly in a vigorous and
offensive way by choosing the opposite virtue.
Consider the three temptations Jesus overcame in the desert:
gluttony, vainglory and greed. Jesus’ entrance into the desert for
those 40 days was the way by which He destroyed these temptations
before they were even presented to Him. By voluntarily choosing to
fast from food for those 40 days, Jesus rendered the temptation
toward gluttony ineffective. By choosing the humility of entering
into the solitude of the desert to be alone with His Father, Jesus
robbed the temptation toward vainglory of its power. By choosing a
life of poverty and simplicity, He overcame any temptation toward
earthly wealth, even before it was offered to Him.
As we begin this forty-day Lenten journey, reflect, today, upon the
sins and temptations in your life that need to be overcome. If you
find yourself in an ongoing defensive position toward certain
struggles, especially if you find yourself losing the battle at
times, it’s time to change your strategy. Embrace the opposite
virtue of the sins you are most tempted with this Lent. Embrace
those virtues in an offensive manner. Choose kindness if you
struggle with anger. Choose fasting if you struggle with gluttony.
Choose generosity if you struggle with greed. Whatever your
struggle, turn to the virtue you need the most and make it your
focus this Lent so that you, too, will be well-prepared to reject
the evil one and his lies when temptation comes your
way.
My tempted Lord, You resisted all temptation in Your life by
choosing every good virtue and living them to perfection. Please
help me to see the virtues I need the most right now and give me
the strength I need to run toward them this Lent with all my heart.
Jesus, I trust in You.
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