Satan likes to dangle temptations in front of our faces, hoping to lure us into sin and then pull the old bait and switch trick to bring us to destruction.
Fortunately, Jesus’s gives us examples of how to face temptations in Matthew 4:1-11. He gives of cues into Satan’s tricks and gives us ammo to defend ourselves against getting caught in Satan’s snares.
Matthew 4:11 teaches us crucial lessons on resisting temptations through complete reliance on God’s Word, prioritizing our spiritual needs over physical desires (our flesh), trusting God’s timing and protection, all while recognizing Satan’s deceptive use of scripture to lure us into foolishness and idolatry, and demonstrating Jesus’s perfect obedience and setting a pattern for our own victory over sin.
Jesus resisted turning stones into bread, showing that we can live by God’s Word. Not just in a physical sustenance, but, trusting God’s provision.
Matthew 4:7 teaches us a powerful lesson about the importance of trust in God in moments of trial. “You shall not test the Lord your God.” We will never have enough strength to overcome temptation without God. By seeking Him and trusting in His support we can find the strength to resist any temptation. And we shouldn’t put Him to the test or demand miraculous proof of His care for us.
Jesus countered Satan by quoting scripture, I read once that Jesus quoted Deuteronomy more than any other books in the Old Testament, when Satan was tempting Jesus in the wilderness, all three answers were in the book of Deuteronomy.
- Deuteronomy 8:3 “man lives by every word the proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”
- Deuteronomy 6:16 “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”
- Deuteronomy 6:13 “You shall, fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.
Satan twisted every scripture Jesus quoted, showing that we must rightly interpret God’s Word, and not use it self-servingly.
Jesus was lead by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested, teaching the importance of prayer, fasting, and focusing God before making major life decisions.
Jesus’s victory should be our example. Jesus’s sinless perfection and resisting temptations, qualified Him to be our High Priest and shows us that victory over sin is possible y following His pattern.
There are a few practical applications to help us resist temptation.
- Fill your heart with scripture: Meditate on God’s Word to be ready to combat temptation.
- Prioritize Your Spiritual needs: Seek God’s Word and presence over immediate physical or worldly gratification.
- Trust God’s timing: Don’t try and force God’s hand or take matters into your own hands.
- Guard yourself against misinterpretation: Be aware that Satan uses distorted scripture, so study diligently.
- Submit to the Holy Spirit: Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.
From Pity to Praise 