The temptation of Jesus
Read: Matthew 4:1-12
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus was tempted by Satan although Jesus was the Son of God. It tells me that no one can escape Satan’s temptations. Well, when we are tempted, we can turn it around by showing true obedience to God like Jesus did. Being tempted is also an opportunity to show God that we are obedient. And because we know that we are going to be tempted, we should be alert and be ready for it.
The devil who is also called Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, and here he tempted Jesus in the desert. Satan, who was a fallen angel, is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. He is always trying to make us live his way or our way rather than God’s way. When temptations seem really strong or when we think that we can rationalize giving in, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God’s purpose in our lives.
Jesus’ temptations gives us examples to follow when we are tempted. Be bold, don’t give in, and use the word of God to silence the enemy.
Jesus was tempted by the devil, but he never sinned. Temptation itself is not a sin, but if we give in and disobey God, then it is will be a sin.
Keep it in mind that Satan tries every moment to tempt us especially when we are vulnerable like if we are hungry and weak (like Jesus), when we are under physical or emotional stress, (for ex. lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty.
He also tempts us through our strengths, (where we are going to use them) where we are most easily to be proud. Maybe if we are successful in many ways, we can begin to look down on others or use success to brag. So we must guard all the time against his attacks. We must turn to God when we are tempted.
The devil’s temptations are focused on three areas: 1. physical needs and desire, possessions and power, and pride.
We too may be tempted to satisfy a perfectly normal desire in the wrong way or at the wrong time. But God wants us to satisfy them in the right way and at the right time all the time.
Jesus was able to resist all the devil’s temptations because he not only knew the Scripture, but he also obeyed it. Knowing bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the devil’s attack, but we must also obey what those verses tell us to do. Note that Satan had memorized the Scripture, but he failed to obey it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us to follow God’s desires rather than the devil’s
In verses 5-7, Satan tempted Jesus to show that He is truly the Son of God. Maybe we are tempted to ask God to do something to prove His existence or his love for us. But God wants us to live by faith. Not by magic. And come to think of it, the whole universe and we are already more than enough signs that God really exists.
The devil used Scripture to try to convince Jesus to sin. Sometimes people around us will present attractive and convincing reasons why we should try something we know is wrong. They may even find a Bible verse to support their viewpoint. We should study the Bible carefully, especially the broader contexts of specific verses, so that we understand God’s principles for living and what He wants for our lives. Only if we understand the whole Bible will we be able to recognize errors of interpretation when people take verses out of context and twist them to say what they want them to say.
In verses 4-8-9 The devil offered the whole world to Jesus if he would only bow down and worship him. Today the devil offers us the world by trying to entice us with materialism and power. We can resist temptations the same way Jesus did. If we find ourselves craving something that the world offers, we must quote Jesus’ words to the devil.: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.