Battling Temptation With Scripture Alone

Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus was also faced with great tests, but He succeeded. Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won, using scripture. Let’s look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11.

Led by the Spirit

When Jesus fasted was it a complete fast or did He possibly only drink water? Was he thirsty or only hungry afterwards?

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. (Matthew 4:1-2 NKJV)

First Test: Physical Food

The Greek word for tempted also means tested. Was Jesus being tested after a preparatory time of fasting? Does the tempter try to incite Jesus to do his bidding? Would Jesus use his heavenly powers to satisfy the lusts of the flesh? Would He pass the test?

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” (Matthew 4:3 NKJV)

First Response: Scripture

Did Jesus follow the tempter’s untrustworthy words or God the Father’s? Did Jesus quote human traditions or scripture? Did God feed ancient Israel so they would learn to be fed by Him and not their own efforts? Did Jesus have the power to make bread from stones, but waited for His Father’s timing to be revealed, rather than follow the devil’s timing?

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” (Matthew 4:4 NKJV cp. Deuteronomy 8:3)

Second Test: Foolish Risks

Would Jesus be tempted by the pride of life and take a foolish leap from a Temple wing perhaps 50 meters (over 150 feet) above ground? Do we make foolish decisions without praying to do God’s will? How often do we confuse a foolish jump with a Spirit-led leap of faith?

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” (Matthew 4:5-6 NKJV)

Second Response: Scripture

Was Jesus fooled by someone twisting Scripture? Had Moses and Aaron foolishly taken glory to themselves for a miracle, instead of giving God the glory (Numbers 20:7-12)? Did Jesus only want to bring glory to the Father? Do we trust God or our presumptuous self-will?

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” (Matthew 4:7 NKJV cp. Deuteronomy 6:16)

The Last Test: Power

Would Jesus be tempted by worldly power? Does Satan temporarily rule this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9-17)? How many people have sold their soul to the devil to receive worldly power, even deceived into thinking they could make things right? Dictatorship is wrong, but is democracy really God’s answer? How many politicians would really be voted into office if they told the whole truth? Do people really want the truth or a delusion (Isaiah 30:9-13)?

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9 NKJV)

Last Response: Scripture

Are we to fear or revere God only? Does Satan mean adversary? Did Jesus reveal His total aversion to gaining power through compromise with any evil?

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (Matthew 4:10 NKJV cp. Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20; Joshua 24:14)

The Alleged Discrepancy

Matthew records the events in a different order than Luke. Is this a biblical contradiction? History can be written climactically or topically rather than chronologically. Matthew seems to have written chronologically by using the word “then,” whereas Luke seems to be thematic judging by his use of the word “and.”

Summary

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. (Matthew 4:11 NKJV)

Three things test our love of God, “love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Life’s great temptations are, “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

Three times Jesus said, it is written, quoting scripture rather than any tradition outside the Bible. Some would call that using the Bible as a club, yet the correct term is using it as a sword (Ephesians 6:17). Is the Old Testament myth, male chauvinist patriarchalism, metaphor or something other than truth? Jesus and the apostles consistently defended the scriptures.