Overcoming temptations
Right after his baptism Jesus went through a series of temptations. He overcame each temptation by using the word of God. His victory in these temptations was not only a demonstration of his power to defeat the enemy, but an example set for us to follow when we are tempted.
The temptations that Jesus went through fall into three categories under which we are commonly tempted.
THE FIRST TEMPTATION: Basic Needs
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.’” – Matthew 4:1-4
What are we capable of doing when our basic needs are not satisfied? The first reaction is probably to follow the easiest path (in other words, fall into temptation). But those following the easiest path will eventually hurt themselves or others. It is not easy to have a basic need unsatisfied, but the right thing to do when our basic needs are not satisfied is to come before God.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:31-34
When in need, the solution is in the word of God. As Jesus clearly said it “We shall live on every word that comes from the mouth of God”.
THE SECOND TEMPTATION: Irresponsibility
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.’” – Matthew 4:5-7
In this temptation the devil was inviting Jesus to “play with fire” and not to worry because the bible says that God would help him. He wanted Jesus to be irresponsible. We also like to play with fire. We do so in regards to our health (by not taking care of us), our family (by not being the parent or spouse that we are supposed to be), our finances (by not spending our money wisely), and even our salvation (by not being responsible Christians or through sinful behavior).
We like to push the limits a little farther and fool ourselves thinking that “God will bail me out if something happens”. We will even quote the bible as an excuse to take risks we are not supposed to.
God can certainly save us from the fire as he did with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-30), but if we get into the fire on purpose we will get burned.
THE THIRD TEMPTATION: Power
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.’” – Matthew 4:8-11
Fame! Authority! Power! Superiority! Prominence! Somehow power seems to be like a magnet to humans. People want power. It is incredible what people do to obtain power. Why this thirst for power? Do we want others look up to us and marvel at us, or in other words, “worship” us?
Any power given to us is limited and temporary. It does not matter how much power we are given we will never be satisfied. We will never be satisfied until we realize that the best for us is to submit ourselves to God and recognize his authority over our lives. Only then “we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). In fact, until we do so we will be under the power of another ruler.
in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. – Ephesians 2:2
Temptations will never stop. We are at war with the same enemy that tried to temp Jesus (Ephesians 6:12-13). Our enemy does not want us to obtain the power that he will never get: Salvation and Eternal Life.
Jesus overcame temptation not through miracles or through demonstration of his power, but by using the word of God. The key to victory is to follow his example. We just need to know his word so we can use it in the time of need.
If we want victory let’s use the word of God.
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