LENT DAY THREE: THE EASY WAY OUT

FAST FROM: COMPROMISING YOUR VALUES

"Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." Matthew 4:5–11(NIV)

There was a woman in the gym doing Russian deadlifts—or so she thought—when her trainer approached her and corrected her form. After he showed her the correct way, she became frustrated. The right way was harder. It required more effort. It was more uncomfortable. The wrong way had been easier.

Though frustrated, she knew that doing the exercise incorrectly might feel better in the moment, but doing it correctly would be more purposeful in the long run.

Temptation rarely looks like rebellion. Often, it looks like a shortcut. It looks like the easy way out.

The enemy tempted Jesus with influence without suffering, authority without obedience, and glory without the cross. He offered Him a faster route, a painless path, a convenient alternative. Doing it the enemy’s way would have been easier, quicker, and less demanding. But doing it God’s way fulfilled His Kingdom assignment.

Our purpose is never fulfilled through compromise.

Before the enemy approached Jesus, Scripture tells us that He had been fasting and praying. The enemy may have assumed He was weak and vulnerable—but Jesus was spiritually strong. He was equipped with God’s Word. He was clear about His identity. He was confident in His calling. He was rooted in God’s presence.

Jesus may have been hungry. He may have been tired. But He had clarity and conviction about His purpose and His assignment.

Not the easy way out.

How many times are we tempted to take shortcuts? To justify small compromises because the outcome seems good? When we refuse to compromise, we declare that God’s way is better—even when it is slower, harder, and more costly in the moment.

Maintaining integrity may cost us temporarily, but it produces lasting Kingdom impact.

Obedience is never wasted.
And the easy way out isn’t always the easy way out. 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Where are you tempted to take shortcuts in your life?

What would obedience look like for you today?

TODAY’S AFFIRMATIONS:

  I choose obedience over convenience. 

  God’s timing is perfect.

  I walk in integrity

KINGDOM MARKER

Kingdom impact grows through integrity.

TODAY’S PRAYER:

Lord, Thank you for equipping me with the tools I need to resist temptation. Thank you for strengthening me through fasting and praying… Help me to be more like Jesus and recall the words of Scripture in the moments I need them the most. Your way is better. In Jesus’ name… Amen