April, 2007
“Temptation--Only a Question, Not an Answer”
Matthew 4:1-11
INTRODUCTION: Desserts have sometimes been named “seduction” or “temptation” because there is something “delicious” and full of promise offered.
Oscar Wilde said, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to give in to it.” We laugh about temptation and most of us do give in at one time or another to something. Sometimes it is only a 500 calorie piece of chocolate cake, and it doesn’t leave too severe of consequences unless we give in to the temptation again and again. Other times the stakes are high and consequences are not as beautiful as the promise. Some temptations become cumulative in their build up of consequences until it becomes very difficult not to give in time after time. People who have given in to the temptation to try drugs or alcohol sadly find this to be true. We would think that undesirable consequences would cause us to deal with temptation in such a way that would produce the kind of results we want, but we often fail over and over again.
Scripture has quite a lot to say about temptation and how to deal with it. Let’s take a look at this topic and see how it applies to our lives.
1. Don’t Be Surprised By It: Many Christians feel that once they become a Christian that their problems are solved and that the devil will leave them alone. They are surprised when they are tempted by something. Scripture doesn’t teach that we will be temptation free when we come to the Lord. One woman in all sincerity told her Sunday school class, “I’m not tempted by sin. I only have Christian friends.” One person might be tempted by something and have a real struggle whereas it wouldn’t bother us a bit. We may pridefully say, “I would never do that” and yet there would be another temptation trap that we could easily fall into.
STORY: There were some preachers, a priest, and a rabbi sitting around a table discussing things, and they came to the subject of temptation. One asked his friend, “What tempts you?” The preacher said, “Sometimes, I like to take a little nip of Jack Daniels.” Another said, “Sometimes when I go out of town I like to step out on my wife.” Another said, “I like to watch X-rated movies once in awhile.” His friend said, “Sometimes I like to read adult rated magazines.” They got to the end of the table. “Brother Joe,” they asked, “what tempts you?” He replied, “One of my worst problems is that I am tempted to gossip, and I can hardly wait to get home to call someone on the phone.”
Don’t be surprised when temptation comes to you. I Peter 5:8 says, “Like a lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.” We need to open our eyes and realistically prepare for his onslaughts when they do occur. We may feel the temptation more when we are tired or under stress, when we are alone or away from home, after a spiritual high, when we are not expecting it, or when we withdraw from church attendance.
Some people take the view that they should isolate themselves from every temptation and therefore they will be successful. This could be good in some cases such as if you are tempted by alcohol, don’t go sit around in a bar. This is especially true for new Christians whose friends drag them back into sinful practices. However, victory comes not through the avoidance of the assault but through the resources of Jesus. We can have victory in the middle of temptation as we grown in the Lord and become strong Christians. Scripture tells us, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
In our scripture about Jesus’ temptation, we find that after the temptation, Satan left him and the angels ministered to him (Matthew 4:11). What is interesting to note in the parallel account of this in Luke 4:13 is that when the devil had ended all temptation, he “departed him for a season--until a more opportune time.” We need to realize that throughout our faith journey we never “arrive” at a place where we are temptation free. We are never so spiritual that something can’t get to us--to test us to see what decisions and choices we will make.
Not only should we not be surprised when temptation presents itself to us in various forms but realize that temptation is not necessarily bad because it allows us to test our convictions. It has been said that “your convictions are only strong if they hold up under pressure. A person has not shown true obedience if he or she has never had the opportunity to disobey.” Temptation is not meant to weaken us but to make us emerge stronger from the ordeal. How do we know this?
I Peter 1:7 says, “Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened to you.” Temptations are brought to us in some form or another by Satan, but they are used as a test by God to enable us to conquer sin.
2. The Purpose of Temptation: At the beginning of today’s scripture we find that Jesus was “led of the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” You may wonder why would the Spirit lead Jesus into a situation to be tempted. Immediately we say, “Hey, this is not a good thing! Whoa! Wait a minute! Excuse me!”
The Greek word used here for tempted is peirazo which means to test, try, or prove. This is the same word that is said of Christ and of believers. The purpose of temptation is to see how we will respond when the pressure is on--how we will answer the question. Remember, temptation is only a question--not an answer.
One writer has said, “The Holy Spirit is as apt to lead us into the wilderness as into green pastures.” I had never thought of it this way before. These temptation situations in the wilderness can be God’s way of testing and trying us. Show are we going to respond to the question? I Peter 1:7 tells us that “the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” The Greek word here is a different one--meaning proving with the idea of approving. What I believe this is saying is that God has faith in us that we will be able to stand up under the pressure and come through the trial successfully.
It has been said that the “wilderness experience is the Spirit’s seminary for learning to follow.” Isolated testing precedes public ministry and this is what happened before Jesus began his public ministry. How was He going to react? How would He answer the questions? This applies to us as well. We must be tested to see if we have a solid faith and if we will endure under pressure.
3. Jesus, Us, and Temptation: Hebrews 4:15 says, “for he was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin.” We might think that “of course, Jesus could overcome temptation because He is God.” This is true, but also, Jesus was fully human during his ministry time on earth. When He came to earth to dwell among us, He laid aside some of his divine attributes--Philippians 2:6, 7 says that He “made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man--he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” While he was living on earth he felt hunger--fatigue--and physical limitations just like we do. He emptied himself of some of the things he had before coming to earth and put them on the “back burner” of his earthly life. He needed to do this if he were to experience our feelings, our pain, and our temptations.
What were the “all points” He was tempted in? Scripture speaks of three basic temptations which cover broad categories. These categories of temptation pretty well cover the broad areas in which we are tempted today--the physical, the emotional, the psychological power issues. I John 2:16 summarizes these broad categories by saying, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the father but of the world.” James 1:14 says, “But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.” Jesus was tempted in these three areas. Eve was tempted in these three areas, and we are also. There was something about each of Jesus’ temptations to make it seem right. In the first one, what would be so wrong about Jesus doing whatever necessary to relieve his hunger after his long fast? Satan even quoted scripture to Jesus--If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” What was wrong with bread? Jesus was hungry. In the first temptation Jesus was tempted to use divine power to satisfy physical needs--food in this case. Satan took advantage of his low resistance. Every person is tempted to give greater concern to the physical than to the spiritual. Would God provide food?
In the second temptation, Jesus was tempted to do something spectacular which appealed to his emotional need for security--would God protect Him? Satan said, “Dare God to rescue you.” Satan even quoted scripture (vs. 6) “If thou be the Son of God, cast yourself down for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee and they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Psalm 91). There was a temptation to take unnecessary risks and then expect God to protect. There is pride and insecurity here--a need to test God in a foolish way. He was tempted to test His Sonship against God’s pledge to protect His own.
In the third temptation Satan appealed to the psychological need for power, significance, and achievement. Taking a short cut to his full messianic authority. If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all of this.” Would God rule? There is a temptation for quick power, easy solutions, and equality with God. Philippians 2:6 says that “Jesus did not think it robbery to be equal with God” but that he had laid it aside temporarily and was on the mission to die on the cross, to bring about the plan of salvation. If he gave in to Satan, he could forget about that and step into quick power without traveling the way of the cross.
If Jesus were tired and hungry and alone in the wilderness, what kept him from giving into temptations at the three times Satan appealed to him?
Jesus had the opportunity to sin. The conditions were right--he was tired, hungry, and alone. Why didn’t he give in? There was nothing in Him that answered to sin. John 14:30, Jesus said, for the “…prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” Scripture tells us several things that helped him to resist the temptations that were presented to him.
1. He was full of the Holy Spirit--this is found in the parallel scripture in Luke 4:1. “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.”
Are we walking close enough to the Lord that when temptations come we can recognize them through the wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives us and know them for what they are even if they are subtle, half truths and look good in themselves? Temptation comes through ordinary things and ordinary desires. When it comes we are not usually shocked by it. Eve was approached by the serpent. It was not a frightening experience. Because temptation is so subtle and made to look so good, it is easy for us to walk right into it. It may even “seem to be” God’s answer to our prayer.
2. He knew the Scripture and how to use it skillfully in answering Satan. The Spirit fights with whatever scripture we have hidden in our hearts. We study the scriptures we are supplying the Spirit in advance with choice scriptures for effective combat against temptation and discouragement. “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).
1. Man shall not live by bread alone
2. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God
3. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and serve Him only.
Do we know the scripture well enough to use it skillfully? Prepare for temptation ahead of time. Know what your plan of action will be. Do we know enough scripture to defeat the devil?
3. It Was Non-negotiable. He didn’t discuss it with Satan like Eve did. Don’t stick around to debate the issue. Walter always says, “A fish wouldn’t get caught if it didn’t open its mouth.” Don’t open your mouth to discuss temptation--asking is it right, can you justify it? Can you make it acceptable because of the good in it? William James said, “Never permit an exception to occur in the determination to do a right and good thing. If we make exceptions to the rule when seeing the good in it, and discuss it, more than likely we will fall for it.
CONCLUSION: Although we make many bad choices, if we listen to the counsel of the Scriptures we will make fewer wrong ones. If we understand the scriptures and not just a few isolated verses taken out of context, we will make better choices.
When we confront the enticements that the devil holds out to us, we will know that we receive all of God’s resources--not just bread.
When we meet the allurements of sensational opportunities, do not test God but trust God. Let God rather than your mirages lead you.
When we meet the attractions of power for the sake of selfishly dominating others, resist it.
Some questions to ask yourself this week are:
When have I been alone in the desert? When do I find myself most vulnerable to the tempter? How can it help to know that Jesus has been there and successfully resisted temptation? Remember that Temptation is Only a Question--not an answer. When you flee temptation, leave no forwarding address.
Shall we pray:
