“Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him 
only.”” Matthew 4:10 
Enticement is luring or tempting someone to do something by appealing to their desires or weaknesses. Every day we face enticing voices offering shortcuts to happiness. “Just this once won’t hurt,” they whisper. Whether it is the temptation to fudge the truth, indulge an appetite, or harbour a grudge, enticement is a universal human experience. It is therefore fitting that as we begin Lent – a season of self-examination and spiritual renewal – our focus is on Attracting God’s Presence, and the first topic in the series is Shunning Enticement. Today’s readings highlight two key moments of enticement: Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and Jesus Christ in the wilderness, whose contrasting responses offer profound lessons on attracting God’s presence into our lives. 
In Genesis 2:7-9, God created Adam from dust and placed him in a garden, allowing for intimate fellowship. However, in Genesis 3:1-7, Adam and Eve succumbed to the serpent’s temptation. Their choice to trust the deceiver’s words over God’s word immediately disrupted their communion with God. They hid from the Lord who used to walk with them, illustrating how sin drives a wedge between humanity and our holy God. As the Prophet Isaiah laments, “your sins have made a separation between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2). In 
contrast, Matthew 4:1-11 presents Jesus, the “new Adam,” who faced temptation in the wilderness. Despite being tempted by hunger, power, and pride—like Adam—Jesus prevailed by adhering to God’s word. He responded with “It is written,” choosing obedience over pride, thus having the full complement of God’s presence throughout His earthly ministry.  
Enticement, as seen in Scripture, is a test of the heart, targeting good desires in misguided ways. The fruit in 
Eden was appealing for, much like bread for a hungry Jesus. Sin occurs when we chase legitimate desires outside of God’s will. Adam and Eve’s choice to trust the deceiver caused a separation from God, as noted in Isaiah: “your sins have made a separation between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2). This leads to feelings of emptiness and guilt after yielding to temptation. St. James explains: “Each person is tempted when lured by 
their desire, which gives birth to sin” (James 1:14–15). Our unchecked desires can easily ensnare us, like a fish drawn by bait. 
Knowing that yielding to enticement destroys our relationship with God and drives us away from Him, how do we overcome our daily temptations? Jesus shows us the way: during His temptation, He wielded the weapon of Scripture and the strength of the Spirit. Likewise, we are called to fill our hearts and minds with God’s Word so that truth is readily on our lips when trials come. Memorising and meditating on Scripture fortifies our minds against the enemy’s lies. “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You,” says Psalm 119:11 – a practice Jesus Himself modelled as He answered Satan with verses from Deuteronomy. 
We also note that Jesus fasted for forty days before facing the tempter. Praying and fasting, classic Lenten disciplines, have power to strengthen our resistance. Fasting trains us to deny our impulses so that our spirit 
can rule our flesh. It is like a spiritual workout that builds self-control, a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Prayer connects us intimately with God, re-centres our heart on Him, and obtains the help we desperately need. In addition, just as athletes train their bodies, Christians prepare spiritually through Scripture, prayer, and fasting. A daily quiet time acts as spiritual armour against temptations, while communal worship and accountability strengthen us within the Body of Christ. These practices don’t earn God’s love, but they help us 
be more receptive to His grace and better recognise His voice amid distractions. 
Shunning Enticement prioritises God over anything that could separate us from Him. By resisting temptation, we echo Jesus: “Away with you, Satan! I will worship the Lord my God and serve Him alone” (Matt. 4:10). We affirm that God’s way leads to life and desire His presence over the false promises of sin. James 4:7-8 reminds us to submit to God and resist the devil, drawing near to Him in the process. This Lenten journey reveals how, as we turn from temptation, God’s presence floods into our lives, empowering us with grace, walking us through trials, and surrounding us with His love. 
Brothers and sisters, let us continue this season of Lent with confidence in Christ’s victory and the resolve to take practical steps in resisting temptation. Let us encourage one another on this journey of holiness. If you stumble along the way, remember God’s mercy is one sincere prayer away. Lift your eyes to Jesus, the One who conquered in the desert and on the cross. He is our strength and righteousness.  
As we shun the enticements that come our way, may we experience the joy of attracting God’s presence into every area of our lives this Lent. Amen.

Have a Blessed Week!