22 February 2026 - Lent 1

Our Statement of Christian Faith (1992) says, ‘By his death on the cross and by his resurrection, he has triumphed over evil.’ But this triumph begins in a very deep and spiritual encounter with the Devil, the personification of evil. Consider these four things.

Firstly, whilst the Devil does not exist, evil certainly does. How could we deny it. Look at the murder of Alexei Navalny! Look at the web of evil woven by Epstein and his supporters! Look at Sudan and the raping of women on an industrial scale!

 Secondly, there is nothing wrong with temptation. Everyone is tempted – even Jesus. That’s an eternal comfort. However, temptation exposes a dilemma and brings with it a struggle sometimes of immense proportions. That’s where the problem begins.

Thirdly, temptations never end. In St. Luke’s account of Christ’s temptations, we learn that ‘the Devil departed from him until an opportune time’. There was more – but Jesus doesn’t share his struggle in such detail until we find him praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Fourthly, Jesus is strengthened by the Word of God to withstand temptation.  ‘One does not live by bread alone. Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ are all quotations from Deuteronomy.

When we are tempted, we may ask, ‘What does God say about this?’ Or ‘What would Jesus do in this predicament?’ But beware! The Devil quotes Scripture too and has a subtle way of interpreting it. Remember the evil of apartheid and the Gospel narrative which sustained it.

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