How Jesus Dealt With Temptation
Matt. 4:1-11
It is always wise to define terms when a subject or topic is under consideration. Before we really consider how Jesus dealt with temptation, let us first define temptation. One of the best definitions I have seen is simply, "Temptation is the act of enticement to do wrong, by the deceitful promise of personal pleasure or some profit or gain." If we closely examine the story of Satan’s approach to Jesus on each of the occasions, it would seem this definition fits the situation aptly enough. Just think of it for a moment? Does that definition fit our human experiences in the matter as well? When we are tempted does the tempter approach us along these same lines and use the same time tested techniques? Even though they failed in the case of our perfect and sinless Savior, they all too often succeed in the lives of those who are His followers.
Let us first consider just why Jesus was tempted. Some might think the Holy Trinity’s motive was to somehow test His power and demonstrate the Son’s divine credentials to the Father and the Spirit. After all, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to face this awesome test. But this could not be the case. His claim to deity had been demonstrated in eternity past. The Father and the Spirit had both attested and authenticated this at His baptism at the hands of John the Baptist.
It would seem the primary purpose of His testing would be to forever demonstrate to all the creatures of earth and heaven that Jesus was, is and always will be the eternal conqueror and victor over sin and its author, the Tempter. Speaking of His final and ultimate triumph over the Tempter at the cross Paul had this to say, "[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Col 2:15) When we see Him in the Revelation with the keys to death, hell and the grave, upon His vesture, these are there only because He met the Tempter on his own ground and terms and prevailed mightily.
We should also remember that in winning this victory in the desert Jesus exercised and emphasized the human side of His God-man being. He said, "MAN shall not live by bread alone..." He did not invoke divine miraculous powers, although these surely were available to Him, but instead He relied upon the power of the Word of God and of the Spirit of God. The same sources of Godly power we have available today to do combat with the Tempter and emerge as victors rather than victims.
Let us examine this pivotal moment in the life of our Savior upon this earth and try to garner from it some principles that might be helpful to us in our daily struggle with sin and Satan in this wilderness world of worry and woe. Just how did Jesus deal with and resist temptation?
JESUS RESISTED TEMPTATION BY RECOGNIZING ITS REALITY. We are told Jesus was led of the Spirit of God into the wilderness for the purpose of being tested. It is clear our Savior was aware of the reality of the terrible tests He would face. Yet He was willing to engage His opponent face to face in deadly spiritual combat. He did not turn away. He did not pretend that sin did not exist or that there was not a price to be paid in facing the reality of temptation. The record of His physical hurt of hunger and thirst makes it amply clear that He went into the experience with eyes wide open to the reality of sin and temptation.
The first step we must take if we are to resist temptation is to realize its reality. That Satan is alive and well on planet earth is more than a cliche taken from the title of a once popular book. If we need evidence of the awesome threat of this fiend of the ages, it can be found in this story of the temptation of Jesus at the outset of His earthly ministry. We should be careful not to minimize the reality of it. The Hebrew letter tells us He was tested in all senses as we are, yet he remained without sin. Jesus did not dispute or rebuke Satan when he offered Him the kingdoms of this world as an immediate reward for rebellion against the Father. Evidently they were his to offer.
A clear demonstration of the reality of Satan can be found even earlier in the story of our Savior. That he is the god of this world needs no more graphic an illustration than the account of his desperate attempt to thwart the plan and purpose of God by destroying the infant Jesus. That he would possess the mind and life of a great king of the earth in an attempt to advance his cause and accomplish his end is something that should give each of us pause to consider our own situation in our journey through this mortal vale of tears.
That he can control the sometimes destructive physical elements of the earth such as wind, rain, storms and earthquakes, is not just something confined to antiquity and the authentic and accurate history compiled in the Word of God. The tragic four thousand year old story of Job’s encounter with his awesome power has a contemporary application as well. It is a proposition that is all too often demonstrable in the life and experience of the people who populate planet earth today. It is wise for God’s people to live with this awareness and be alert to the adversary’s possible intervention into the affairs of men at any moment.
Is it any wonder then that Peter used the analogy of a roaring lion seeking to devour whom he might destroy when referring to the reality of our adversary and the powerful danger he poses to the unsuspecting and unwary Christian? ( Who could better remind us of Satan’s threat than he who had been sifted by Satan, vehemently denying Jesus three times, after having sincerely and with the best of intentions boasted of his power to resist temptation?) This image describing Satan’s nature and activity is indicative of his powerful and dangerous characteristics. I understand the language Peter used perhaps referred to an old, scared and rather toothless male lion, who must cleverly and deceitfully lie in ambush behind a blind of bushes. His hunger and desperation makes him doubly dangerous. It is easy to draw a parallel with the vengeful deceiver who has been bruised, scared, beaten and ultimately defeated in his encounter with Christ on the cross.
Other Biblical images come quickly to mind when we think of the reality of the tempter and temptation. He is also portrayed as a slick, slimy serpent seeking to slide into the saved person’s daily situations and subvert his will. In the end he is brought forth as a brutal beast basking in his awesome power, waiting to wreck havoc upon those who will believe a lie.
Paul also emphasizes the reality of the tempter and temptation in his letter to the church at Ephesus. He tells us Satan is certainly real, alive and working on planet earth, but that we should never give way to him. If fact, he gives us this instruction not as a mere suggestion but as an emphatic command. When should it apply? Perhaps when we are stretched as a rubber band to the breaking point. Or when are on the very verge of an explosive response. It could be when we are tempted by the tempter to repeat a harmful and hurtful word of juicy gossip. Maybe when we know to do good, but are tempted to do our own thing instead. At every step in our walk with Christ when we are faced with such tests, let us remember the great apostle and missionary said, "Don’t’ give place to the devil!"
JESUS DEALT WITH TEMPTATION BY COMBATING ITS COMMONALITY. In the record of His encounter with the tempter it is clear that he expected the encounter as a matter of fact. His human resources were brought to the fore in the fray. Such common experiences as hunger and thirst were at the very heart of Satan’s approach. A stone and bread form a central part of the contest. Jesus was brought face to face with experiences, feelings and emotions that are common to man.
The writer of the Hebrew letter makes it clear that our Savior’s encounter with temptation was nothing out of the ordinary as far as the sorts of tests He was subjected to. " For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin." (Heb. 4:15) Jesus met all the tests that are common to man and passed each test with flying colors.
If we are to benefit from the experience of our Savior, we need to understand that we also must meet such tests as a common life experience each day. In these encounters, our attitude to sin and temptation is critical. Oscar Wilde summed up the attitude of millions when he said, "I can resist anything but temptation.” Unfortunately, resisting temptation seems to have gone out of style and doing what comes naturally has become the in thing.
But Jesus told His disciples to, "Watch and pray, they ye enter not into temptation..." (Matt 26:41) It is obvious by His statement that a realization of the common and constant nature of temptation is important and that we may be the next to fall is vital. Paul said in I Cor. 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he stands, take heed lest he fall.." Like the rain, temptation comes to the just and unjust alike. Every day thousands of people are hurt and sometimes destroyed by yielding to a temptation they would have thought improbable or impossible to become involved in. Someone has said, "They who think they cannot wander will be the first to lose their way.."
That temptation commonly comes to the prince and pauper alike is clear. History speaks of the effects of temptation in the lives of some of the world’s most powerful people. I am sure the corporate heads and wealthy barons of this world who have recently fallen from their thrones of power, some even into prison, would never have dreamed of the end result of their yielding to the sins of ambition and greed. Napoleon, while a student at Lyon’s Academy, wrote an essay on the danger of ambition.
It is clear that temptation not only confronts the ungodly, but those who seek to walk with God as well. We are very familiar with some of the stories. David slew Goliath. God blessed him and he ruled over Israel. Then sin and temptation reared its ugly head.
One might think his son Solomon, who had his negative example and who knelt on the hillside of Gibeon and asked God for wisdom, would have known better then to yield to the sin of lust. Yet in his latter life he gave in to strange women and heathen deities and brought shame and reproach upon himself and his people.
In our day we are constantly bombarded by news of so-called religious leaders who have fallen from the perches of prominence because of a momentary yielding to temptation. They seem to have forgotten the lessons learned in the Word and in previous generations about the commonality of sin and temptation and the destructive fruit it bears.
But let’s bring it down to where we live; to the common and ordinary person who may sit in a church pew on a Sunday morning and to the loving husband and father or the loyal wife and mother who would have laughed in scorn and unbelief if told that they would momentarily yield to the lust that could eventually destroy their marriage and home.
JESUS DEALT WITH TEMPTATION BY RECOGNIZING ITS SOURCE. He was fully aware that the tests He faced emanated from the very pits of hell. He had been witness to and participant in the putting down of the first rebellion of sin and pride recorded in the universe. (See Eze. 28:11-15, Isa. 14:12-15, Luke 10:18) Later on, He had witnessed the havoc and destruction wrought in the garden and upon all generations of man by the Serpent’s subtle and clever seduction of the first parents and the simple act of their yielding to temptation. (Ro. 5:12) He was under no disillusionment about the seriousness of the challenge He would face. But by knowing His enemy and his power He was able to face him and defeat him on his own turf.
A key to our successfully dealing with temptation is to know the source. Temptations are not of God. The Word of God makes it clear we cannot blame God. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." (James 1:13-14) In reality, we cannot even blame Satan. We cannot truthfully keep repeating the popular old mantra, "The devil made me do it."
There is a difference in temptations, testings and tryings of our faith. When the Bible speaks of God tempting Abraham the language means testing. When an automobile company or an aircraft manufacturer subjects its prototypes to the most severe rigorous tests imaginable, the purpose is not to destroy it. The maker wishes to demonstrate the quality and reliability of his product. That this is God’s ultimate purpose in testing is clearly seen in the story of Job.
God is pure and holy. He cannot be the author of temptations. ""Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.." (Hab. 1:13) To involve God in a plot or plan to cause man to sin is inconceivable and absolutely opposed to His attributes and character. God only gives and brings good gifts to His people and only intends good for His people. (See James 1:17, Ro. 8:28)
But blaming God for temptation and falling is not new. Adam blamed both God and his wife. He said, "The woman that You give me .." He hid behind her skirts so to speak. That pattern still exists today.
There are those who blame heredity. They seem to say it is all in their genes. There might be a smidgen of truth in that as far as the doctrine of hereditary depravity is concerned. But that is no excuse for yielding to temptation. Others blame their parents for their every tendency to sin and fail in life. There are others who blame the environment or society. All of this is often just a big cop out. It is in a sense blaming God. He gave them their genes, parents and the society in which they live.
It is Biblically and practically clear that if we face temptation and fail and fall, we cannot blame God. It didn’t come from Him but from Satan and the flesh. The pattern is clear in the Word of God. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life. (I John 2:16)
Desires are not evil in and of themselves, but legitimate and natural. But many things that in and of themselves may be harmless, are harmful when joined with something else. Carbon is a natural and necessary element for fueling man’s life upon earth. Oxygen is an absolutely essential gas. We cannot do without this breath of life more than a few moments. But place carbon and oxygen into a binary compound (CO) and you have carbon monoxide, one of the deadliest gases in existence. Temptation is the invitation to do wrong. Sin is the voluntary act of doing wrong. It is not a sin to be tempted, but it is sinful to yield to evil temptation.
Yes, the sources of temptation are terribly important. Temptations come from our life and the world around us. "...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.." (James 4:4)
Temptation may come through worldly associations. "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." (Prov. 1:10) Perhaps it would be good give a practical word here. In our world of promiscuity and sensuality we are constantly faced with certain temptations. The sort that Dr. Chuck Swindoll had in mind when he said:
"Women attract and affect men by the way they dress and the way they look at men. Men attract and affect women by what they say and by what and how they touch them.."
These principles are well know in the world of men and women. I have on occasion in the past seen those who call themselves Christian men go around and familiarly touch women in worldly ways. Who do they think they are? Men should keep their hands off other men’s wives! The same with women and their dress and flirtatious ways. You may call me archaic or old fashioned, but Christians who play with fire will eventually be burned.
JESUS DEALT WITH TEMPTATION BY RELYING ON THE POWER OF GOD AND HIS WORD. His response to Satan in each of the three temptations focuses upon that reliance. If there is a central lesson to learn from this record that is it. We can only successfully deal with temptation through the power and Word of God. Only by doing so can we become victors rather than victims.
We can follow our Saviour’s example and turn to the Word of God. Jesus quoted scripture to Satan. David hid God’s Word in his heart that he might not sin against God. He used God’s Word as a light and lamp on the pathway of life. We can yield ourselves to the Spirit of God the power of He who indwells us. (See Ro. 6:14-17)
Did you ever drop a drop of water on a hot stove’s surface and notice how rapidly it skipped across? Why? Because it is not really touching the surface. Heat overcomes gravity and holds the drop away until it evaporates. The power of the Holy Spirit can overcome temptation and holds us away from harm. Temptation may come, but it will not be able to destroy the child of God who is submitted to Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit.
Someone has said, "If you would master temptation, you must first let Christ master you!" By submitting our life and being to Christ we can take the first steps along the road to a victorious Christian life. (Phil. 1:21) The very first step is to trust Him completely with our eternal destiny.
Mankind is like a clock with the mainspring broken. To be fully repaired and operative it must be totally renewed on the inside. But is clear that the power and repairs must come from outside. Man is the same. He cannot save himself. Christ must bring change. He must be saved from the ravages and destruction of sin. He must be born again. He must become a new spiritual creature in Christ Jesus. Once saved, man can then approach God for help and guidance. (Heb. 4:14-16)
Do you need deliverance from a besetting sin? Do you long to be free from a hurtful and harmful habit? The power of God makes it possible. Sincerely ask God, without wavering and without regarding sin in your heart. When we you have slipped to the end of our rope and are hanging there exhausted, with all our earthly energy expended, we can cry out to God and He will deliver us.
A Christian once said, "If I could see my temptation as easily and in the same light as I can see my friend’s, it wouldn’t be so hard to resist it." Someone else’s temptation may look mean, ugly and stupid, while ours may appear bright, rosy and the only intelligent choice. It all depends upon our view and attitude. Rather than hugging the serpent of temptation to our bosom, we should resist it and it will flee from us.
What are we to do in the face of all this? When Satan comes against us in powerful opposition to our determination to live for Jesus and share Him with those around us? When even the evil and ungodly powers that be are arrayed against the people of God are brought to bear upon us? Peter says to be vigilant. Paul leaves no doubt. He says we should not give way to Satan. God reassures us in His Word again and again that we are ultimate overcomers who already have the victory!
Can He do it? "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (I Cor. 10:13) WHAT A PRECIOUS PROMISE. WE CAN BE VICTORS RATHER THAN VICTIMS OF TEMPTATION!
How often have we condemned the questionable conduct of others, only to find ourselves strongly tempted to do the same sort of thing? Especially if we can muster a thinly disguised pretext or use twisted logic to achieve a rationale to justify our action. It should not be so among us.
