Temptation

Lk. 4:1

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.

 

Hebrews tells us that we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Specifically how was Jesus tempted? Interesting to note that during this time of temptation [40 days], Jesus ate nothing. Would the lack of food intensify the temptation or have an opposite effect?

 

Regardless, the first temptation came in the area of food, an essential for life. The devil said, If you are the Son of God command this stone to become bread.  Jesus certainly could have easily done this, but instead He responded with the power of the Word. It is written man shall not live by bread alone. His counter move was to use the word because it is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. His confrontation with the devil was not a power struggle, but it was simple dependence upon the strength of the word. How many times has man made foolish decisions all in the name of necessity? Physical survival often makes people view life at the very basest level. It takes them out of the realm of dependence on God and makes them think that it is all up to them.

 

The second temptation was in the area of worldly power. The devil took him and showed Him the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and said, To You I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and  I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours. Jesus once again quoted Scripture saying, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. Jesus responded to the root of the temptation which was worship instead of thinking about worldly control or power. To Him worshiping and obeying the Father was the most important thing. Similarly, the road to personal power is littered with foolish decisions. Grasping and grabbing becomes a priority and worship becomes a distant memory. 

 

The third temptation was when the devil took Him to Jerusalem and set Him on a pinnacle and said, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, He will command His angels concerning You to guard You, and on their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone. How clever of the devil to quote Scripture! How deceptive! But Jesus was not fooled. You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. How careful believers must be! Not everyone who quotes Scripture for their own purposes can be trusted.

 

 

These areas are very real in the physical world. What can I learn? First search and know the Word.  I need not to think that I can fight the temptation by myself. The battle and the issues are spiritual not physical  Jesus could have easily done the things that the devil wanted him to, but that was not the issue.The point was dependence of God. That is the life that I must live. I can't power through anymore in my own strength no matter the issue.

 

Father,

Help me rely on Your word and let it control my life and my thoughts. Teach me to depend on You as I live each day.

In Jesus name,

Amen