Temptation

“Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

We’ll consider some things before we relate this Scripture to our lives. Jesus was led of the Spirit of God to go into the desert to be tempted. It was necessary to be tempted as all men are. Jesus was all man, and yet all God. And, Jesus needed this time before He started His ministry. Jesus needed to fast.

A fast is depriving the body in order to draw closer in the spirit. It’s a time of prayer and meditation on the Lord; speaking to God and hearing from Him. It’s denying the body because the body is needy. When we deny it, it will protest violently. But if we continue with our fast, we’ll subdue it. It’s necessary to subdue it to be in the spirit.

After the 40 days and nights of fasting, Jesus began His ministry. Many Christians want a ministry, but they’re not willing to put into it what is required spiritually. Jesus was tempted, but He didn’t fall into temptation. The devil misquoted and misrepresented Scripture. Jesus quoted Scripture correctly, showing where the devil was lying.

The truth is that everyone is tempted. Jesus was tempted. “Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

When we are tempted it’s important to use the Word of God, just like Jesus did. The devil’s lies may seem reasonable but they are lies meant to destroy us. They are subtle and appear innocent, but are not. The devil is sly. He knows we will not fall for gross sin, but he knows if he can get us on the wrong path, he has conquered us. It is so important to read the Word of God daily. Read the Bible through each year. By knowing the Truth, you will recognize the lie.

All temptation comes from the enemy. It’s his attempt to trap us into sin. While it may seem to be good, if we don’t consult the Lord first or don’t recognize it as evil, its fruit will not be good fruit. “If we are tempted by such trials, we must not say, "This temptation comes from God." For God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it’s full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:13-15)

Jesus went to the garden to pray and to be arrested. The disciples that were with Him fell asleep. Jesus gave them a way to keep from falling into temptation. “When He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." (Luke 22:40) He knew He would be arrested there. And He also knew that Peter would be tempted to use his sword, which he did. He cut off the ear of the High Priest's slave who was in the group that came to arrest Jesus. The Lord knows we’ll be tempted. It’s not if, but when. He tells us to pray. “So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.” (James 4:7) We can resist the devil by praying.

Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. He ministers there as our High Priest, interceding for us. “And now He can help those who are tempted, because He Himself was tempted and suffered.” (Hebrews 2:18) Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted. He also knows how weak we are and how easily we can fall into temptation.

One reason some may think that it’s God Who tempts us is because in the Lord’s prayer there’s a phrase that appears to indicated that it’s God Who temps us. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” (Matthew 6:13a KJV) What it’s actually saying is don’t let Your testing bring us to temptation. Everything we believe is tested. It reveals to us the sincerity of our belief. It reveals our doubts, our fears and failures. It causes us to either take a stand for what we believe or it reveals that we really don’t believe like we thought. It reveals to us our trust in our Lord or the fact that we still want to lead our lives apart from God.

Just like the faith of Jesus in the Father was tempted, we will be tempted on our faith. The devil tried to make Jesus take the easy way out of His mission. We will be tempted on what we believe, but take heart. “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.” (1Corinthians 10:13)