How do I handle the temptations around me? If Satan is as powerful as people give him credit for being, how could I ever stand up to his attack?
There is an encounter in the Bible that I believe is put there for our sake as men and women who come after Christ’s time here on earth. I believe that Jesus, being the Son of God – God in flesh – was confident in his ability to defeat the deceiver. I have a hunch that the passage found in the 4th chapter of the book of Matthew is for you and me. It is a gift. A guide. A real-life example of what God wants his children to do when we are bombarded with temptation and find ourselves in the midst of a time of testing.
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ Jesus responded, ‘The Scriptures also say, “You must not test the LORD your God.'” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ‘I will give it all to you,’ he said, ‘if you will kneel down and worship me.’ “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” (Matthew 4: 1-11)
First of all, which of us ultimately in the midst of crisis doesn’t want God to send his comforting angels to take care of us? I certainly do. How do we get there? How do we move in that direction when we are feeling bombarded by attack and being tempted with things that ultimately sound so good?
Friend, let us always try to keep in mind that we have grossly misunderstood what is good. The Bible says God is good. Jesus says God alone is good. That means all the things we want, all the kindest people, all the most beautiful locations we see/visit on this planet are not good. They, in and of themselves are not good. What makes us good is the LORD. God’s reflection. We are not good and can never be good unless we invite God (in the person of Jesus) into our hearts and allow Him to transform us into the image and character of God himself.
Let’s go back to the text from Matthew. Jesus was being tempted. The devil knew what was most important to himself, and therefore tempted Jesus with it. The devil was offering to meet Jesus’ human need of hunger (I believe signifying that he could meet all his tangible needs). Jesus didn’t bite on his offer. The devil offered to protect him from a fall, while at the same time encouraging Jesus to deviate from God’s plan for his life. This would have been a straight path to power and likely kingship. Who could deny that this was more than the son of a carpenter if he threw himself down in the holy city and survived? Make no mistake, this would have been the prime location for the news to spread. There would have been plenty of witnesses to the event. But Jesus refuses the freefall. And so the devil saves his biggest offer for the end – “I’ll give it all to you…” Do you realize that Satan wasn’t willing to play second fiddle to God, but apparently is offering to pass off everything to the Son of God – with one caveat – “kneel down and worship me.” That would be something, right? Make God’s beloved turn against him?
In every circumstance of this 40 day period of temptation, Jesus never deviates from the Word of God. In fact, it is so clear that he knows the Word that he is able to recognize when the devil is attempting to use a portion of the Scriptures in an effort to contradict other Scripture and commands of the LORD. Remember that the devil is a deceiver. Deception is rarely effective when it is completely obvious. We simply wouldn’t follow it. Satan presents things – promises – that sound good. But these promises deviate from the One who is good.
Why do we need to know the Scriptures? Why do we need to read them, study them, memorize them? We learn and grow in our understanding of who God is and what He says is right and good and true. AND, it is by putting this into practice, and making this a priority or habit in our day to day life that we are able to take a stand and allow the weapon God provides us with (His Word) to expose the lies for what they are: false “goods.”
Christians are not without trials. Believers can be assured that they will be tempted. They will. They will be attacked. Especially if they are transforming more and more into the likeness of God – experiencing spiritual growth in their lives. Don’t discount this. Satan went after Jesus, remember? He knew who he was. But good news, Jesus knew who he was, too. He was the Son of God. A piece of God’s holy and perfect trinity.
Do you know who you are? Do you know that you’ve been equipped? We have the sword, will we be willing to pick it up and wield it? We have the example for what to do, will we follow it? The devil’s promises and provisions sound good… they seem like keys to success and happiness… but they are facades. They can only offer temporary tangibles. In stark contrast, obedience and the promises of God – well, friend, they are eternal. They, like God alone, never fail.
Blessings!