Lessons from Jesus’ Temptation
This was one of our first “fall feeling days.” Cooler temps but still felt warm. I actually worked most of the day outside on a landscaping project. I felt that was good exercise for the day.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days. Jesus ate nothing during that time, and when those days were ended, he was very hungry.” Luke 4:1,2 NCV
The passages on Jesus’ temptation are some of the most well known in the Bible. Jesus was temped to “turn stones into bread” to “bow down and worship Satan” in exchange for “..all these kingdoms and all their power and glory” and to “jump off the pinnacle of the temple” to prove God’s care. Often Jesus’ temptation is viewed as taking place at the end of a 40 day fast. However, scripture says the devil, “tempted Jesus for forty days.”
We can learn some important lessons from Jesus temptation.
1 – Temptation comes at our greatest point of vulnerability. The recorded temptations of Jesus come at the end of the 40 days when he was “very hungry” and fatigued. Physical fatigue, can have an impact on our emotions and mind as well. In our life times of fatigue, stress or emotional and psychical need can make us more vulnerable to temptation.
2 – Being tempted is not a sin. All of us face temptation. All of us face different types of temptation. But temptation doesn’t have to lead to sin. Scripture says that Jesus was, “tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin.“ (Heb. 4:15 NIV)
3 – Temptations may be many but can fall into three general categories. We see these reflected on Jesus temptation to turn stones to bread, to seize the power of all the world kingdoms in exchange for worshiping the Devil and proving God’s love and Word by jumping off the temple. John in his first epistle identifies these as, “…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…” (1 John 2:16 NIV) You may have heard these referred to as “sex, money and power.” Those are certainly related but not all that is involved in these three key areas of life.
4 – Temptations are an ongoing part of life. Scripture says, “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” We don’t know what they were, or when they occurred but scripture says they happened. I recall hearing of an elderly veteran missionary sharing in open and frank conversation with some young ministers in training. One of them asked, “at what age you stop being tempted with lust?” His answer was, “I don’t know.”
4 – Temptations are successfully encountered by living by God’s Word. As Jesus was temped by the Devil he responded to each one with “it is written…” Choosing to live according to God’s Word and knowing God’s Word is vital to our success. We see the Devil is a liar and deceiver. In his tempting of Jesus he used scripture. We need to make sure that we are living according to God’s Word and not just rationalizing our life through God’s Word. Psalm 119:9 (NIV) gives this advice, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
5 – The Lord provides strength when we are tempted. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV)
In our life we can have confidence in the Lord’s strength He gives and the guidance we have from God’s Word. I’m thankful for the help to overcome and yet the forgiveness when we fail in the battle with temptation. I’m reminded of John’s words, “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.” (1 John 2:1 NLT)