"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
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 4:1-11
Observation:
Jesus led Himself into temptation in the human body so that He could overcome humanity’s weakness to the tempter once and for all.
The Spirit was with Jesus in the wilderness, not forsaking Him.
Jesus refutes the tempter, not by arguing with him or complaining, but rather by rebuking his lies with the truth (scripture - the word of God). Jesus understood that the tempters offers would return void, but the word and promises of God do not.
The tempter tempts Jesus with things that He was entitled to in the Kingdom of God. The enemy tempts us with things that are meant for us, but tempts us with them outside of their intended and proper context. The tempter offers humanity empty satisfaction and glory.
Application:
In what ways am I succumbing to the tempter?
For example,
My motives. Am I out for selfish gain and glory?
My relationships. Am I using people to further my own agenda?
My thought life. Are my sexual desires in check? Am I declaring lies and devaluing statements over myself? Am I more focused on myself and my problems or on the love and glory of Jesus?
My words and speech. Am I tempted to slander other image bearers? Am I tempted to lie rather than speak the truth? Am I tempted to speak in negativity and offer complaints rather than speak light and life? Am I more concerned about turning the conversation towards myself and my strengths more than focusing on the exhortation and building up of others?
My ambitions. Am I tempted to seek worldly riches over the Kingdom of God?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus knows what it looks like and feels like to be led into temptation. Jesus, please lead me away from it. Empower me by Your Spirit to follow You as You lead me away from the tempter.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
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 4:1-11
Observation:
Jesus led Himself into temptation in the human body so that He could overcome humanity’s weakness to the tempter once and for all.
The Spirit was with Jesus in the wilderness, not forsaking Him.
Jesus refutes the tempter, not by arguing with him or complaining, but rather by rebuking his lies with the truth (scripture - the word of God). Jesus understood that the tempters offers would return void, but the word and promises of God do not.
The tempter tempts Jesus with things that He was entitled to in the Kingdom of God. The enemy tempts us with things that are meant for us, but tempts us with them outside of their intended and proper context. The tempter offers humanity empty satisfaction and glory.
Application:
In what ways am I succumbing to the tempter?
For example,
My motives. Am I out for selfish gain and glory?
My relationships. Am I using people to further my own agenda?
My thought life. Are my sexual desires in check? Am I declaring lies and devaluing statements over myself? Am I more focused on myself and my problems or on the love and glory of Jesus?
My words and speech. Am I tempted to slander other image bearers? Am I tempted to lie rather than speak the truth? Am I tempted to speak in negativity and offer complaints rather than speak light and life? Am I more concerned about turning the conversation towards myself and my strengths more than focusing on the exhortation and building up of others?
My ambitions. Am I tempted to seek worldly riches over the Kingdom of God?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus knows what it looks like and feels like to be led into temptation. Jesus, please lead me away from it. Empower me by Your Spirit to follow You as You lead me away from the tempter.