In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

     "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

     I have said before, and I will affirm today that it's true-the question I get most from honest, sincere Christians who desire to be faithful is, "How can I know where the Spirit is leading me?" People ask me that when they are laid off, and considering their options; they ask me that when divorcing and looking for direction; they ask me that when they have the chance to relocate and have to decide whether to pull up roots and move, or stay where they're planted. And of course, they ask that when they're just struggling with everyday decisions that seem monumental: what should I do about my teenager; how should I deal with my spouse; should I volunteer to serve in this way. The question isn't a "bad" one, nor is it the "wrong" one-it implies one truly wants to do God's will. The only problem with it is that it can get all tangled up in temptations that leave us confused at best, and deceived at worst! Which job does God want me to take, for example, can get all mixed with temptations such as, "if I take this job, I will have a bigger salary". And then we can rationalize our decision away by reasoning, "if I take the job with the bigger salary, I can better provide for my family, and better support my church." All of which muddies the water, which ends up making the decision that much harder, and God's will and the Spirit's leading can be compromised by rationalizations about "if this-then that". Which seems a very logical and practical way of assessing the dimensions of a particular decision, if what you want is a decision based on logic and practicality. But if what you want is to be completely open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, then maybe you need a strategy different from reasoning it out, logically thinking it through, and making a list considering "if this-then that". And the different strategy-the one that, while not always simple and straightforward-but ever trustworthy, is, read your Bible! When you have a difficult decision or choice to make; when you are truly seeking God's will and the Spirit's guidance in your life-don't talk to your many friends and family members, don't rely on your list of pros and cons, don't necessarily count on the advice of your therapist or accountant, or attorney. Rather, consult the Word of God-seek direction and guidance from the Holy Scriptures, and make that your counselor and guide!

     Now, I know that I'm setting myself up for criticism in this regard, and maybe even a lawsuit by someone who says, "hey, my ignorant pastor said not to listen to my therapist or my attorney, but to read the Bible-and look what happened!" But for those struggling to learn the will of God for their lives, what other advice could a pastor give? Because its based on the example of Jesus-who also was led by the Spirit, and countered human, worldly temptation, by turning to the Word of God!

     Our gospel lesson for today presents to us, the example of Jesus, who immediately after His baptism by John in the Jordan River, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness-to be tempted. And having fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was naturally famished. And it was perfectly natural that he would be tempted, with or without the devil, to want to turn stones into loaves of bread. But Satan heightened the temptation-trying to lure Jesus by appealing to his pride of place and position-saying, "if you are the Son of God". Of course, Jesus was the Son of God, and had every right to nourishment-except for the fact that this would be to yield to his own desire to have-rather than the Father's will for him to resist and reject the devil's temptations. And just so, do we struggle with our own desires to have-more income, a better job, greater position and prestige. We have our own desires already, but the devil tempts us, by trying to get us to see that its not just what we want, but what we deserve-what we are owed from life. If you are baptized children of God, then by all means, says Satan, you shouldn't have to suffer and starve-you shouldn't have to do without. And of course, the devil has all kinds of things to offer us, that we might have our wants and desires met. Stabbing a co-worker in the back, cheating a little on our expense report, twisting the figures on our taxes, there are lots of little ways that we can have what we want out of life, if we're not worried about what we'll have to do to get it. And what do we do, when we're wrestling with such questions? Do we reason it out, think it through logically, rationalize why this might be just as good, or better, than that? Or, do we go to Holy Scripture, as Jesus did, affirming, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." And there, Jesus was not just proof-texting with Holy Scripture, there Jesus gives us a tool, a strategy that will serve us well whenever faced with temptation and tough choices. Do we choose based on our wants and desires? No, we rely on every word that comes from the mouth of God. I'm reminded of last Sunday's second lesson from Second Peter: "First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." This is why Holy Scripture is trustworthy and sure-and why we must resist twisting Scripture to make it say something other than what is its clear meaning-because Holy Scripture is from God, through the Holy Spirit, speaking through men-not open to human interpretation or wrangling. And to live by every word that comes from the mouth of God; to live by the Word of God, recorded by men inspired by the Holy Spirit-is to have a sure and certain rudder in life-is to have a secure anchor and compass in life, that will guide our lives, and keep us on the right course, and keep us from the evil one! And this is true, not just with regard to the first temptation-the temptation to have what we desire; its also true with regard to the second and third temptations-to do what we want, and to be what we want. Sure, along with having what we desire, we also want to do what we want, and only what we want; and we want to be more than we are! We want power and influence, and recognition and popularity. Most of us would like to be on top of the world, looking down on all the mere mortals. But again, Scripture brings us back, as Jesus quotes Holy Writ, saying, "do not put the Lord your God to the test"; and "worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve." St. Gregory the Great in the Sixth Century, wrote of this encounter saying, "When the Lord was tempted by the devil, he answered him with the commands of sacred Scripture. He could easily have plunged his tempter into the abyss. But he did not reveal the power of his might, but only brought forth the precepts of Scripture." And why, then, would we go anywhere else, when we must make a choice. Why would we go anywhere else, when we have a decision to make, and are being tempted by our own wants and desires and aspirations. We rely on the prophetic teachings of Scripture. We rely on the precepts of Scripture. We rely on every word that comes from the mouth of God. In short, we turn to Holy Scripture, and there, we seek answers. There, we wait to hear from God, His Word, His guidance, through the Holy Spirit, speaking through men. There we read and digest God's Holy Word, that it may guide our feet. There we seek the Light that will lighten our path and lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days.

     And what will we find there? What word of guidance and direction will God offer, to lead us on our way? Well, Holy Scripture is a never-ending well-spring of Spirit-inspired teaching and wisdom. Scripture never disappoints, because God is never silent-the Spirit of God always speaks, when we turn to His Word. But to begin with, meditate on these; ponder these; ask God to speak to you through these, words from Holy Scripture, as you make decisions and choices in life: "one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"; "do not put the Lord your God to the test"; "worship the Lord your God and serve only him." I have every confidence God will speak to you through these passages, and guide your life. There is a well-spring of Spirit inspire wisdom, in just these three verses! You could build your life, on just these three passages! So, put your trust in them-chew on them when you arise and when you lie down-and hear God, as He speaks to you! "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"; "do not put the Lord your God to the test"; "worship the Lord your God and serve only him".

     In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.