When I was growing up, lint was something that you pulled out of the dryer, or a good friend’s last name. Our church and family really had no idea what it meant.

Lent isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Bible, and so for many Christians, that is the deal breaker. I would imagine that most of those same people celebrate birthdays, mother’s day, father’s day, and have an extra hot dog on July 4.

Lent is a period of reflection and self denial for 40 days. That, most certainly, is in the Bible. 40 is one of those “God’s favorite numbers.” You see it in the flood on the earth, the times Moses went into seclusion with the Lord on the mountain, and most famously, our Lord Jesus was tempted of the devil for 40 days.

In all of the gospels except John, the temptation passage is mentioned. Looking to the Luke passage, we understand that: 1. The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the desert, 2. It was primarily for the purpose of facing the tempter, 3. Jesus overcame temptation three ways, and 4. Jesus returned home, and entered his earthly ministry with a stronger anointing of the Holy Spirit.

We aren’t Jesus, and so it is understood that we all have sinned, and we need forgiveness of sin/s. This passage highlights the importance of seclusion self denial, and Spirit-empowerment.

Like Jesus, we should be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to go into seclusion – may 40 days before Passover? In any respect, our journey with the Lord – following Jesus, is going to be a costly one. Setting aside pleasures for 40 days is a small thing in the light of eternity.

Secondly, we must stop avoiding facing the tempter. The Bible doesn’t tell us to avoid the devil and temptation, rather it teaches us to stand up and resist the devil; that’s what makes him flee.

Thirdly, like Jesus, the enemy will attack our mind, will, and emotions. He will attack the reliability of God’s word, (what He’s been doing since the beginning). He will even try to destroy your life – even tempt you to kill yourself.

James teaches us that when we endure temptation that we are blessed! The promise is the crown of life.

Lastly, when we’ve set aside time to seclude and deny ourselves, face the devil head on, we can live a more victorious Christ centered life. Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit. You and I can overcome as well!