Luke 3:23 – 4:13
The Temptation of Jesus

As a final preparation for public ministry, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he fasted for forty days. Then, Satan appeared to tempt Jesus in his time of physical weakness. Pastor Dave taught that, while we do not face the specific temptations Jesus did – we laugh at the notion that we would be tempted to turn a stone into bread! – the general principles of Satan’s temptations lie around every corner.

That first temptation – to turn a stone into bread – is a temptation to doubt. Satan takes a true statement and puts an “if” in front of it. He whispers, “If God is real, then …” or “If God loved you, then …” It is also a temptation to grab immediate gratification with no concern for the consequences, leading, for example, to sex outside marriage and burdensome credit card debt. Finally, it is a temptation to handle a problem on your own instead of relying on God. Dave paraphrased Jesus’ response in verse 4 this way: “Food’s not the issue. My Father’s will is the issue.”

Satan’s second temptation – to worship him and receive authority over all the kingdoms of the world – is a temptation to take the quick and easy way out, to skip the tough part of an assignment. Who among us does not face that one on a regular basis? It is also a temptation to believe a lie instead of holding to the truth. Satan’s statement did contain an element of truth – he is the ruler of this world – but not the whole truth. We are gullible.

Satan followed Jesus’ example and quoted Scripture in his third temptation, but he twisted it to suggest that Jesus test God. Satan likewise tempts us to put God to the test, to say, “God, if you would only do this (fill in the blank), then I would follow You.” We are tempted to tell God what He should do, how He should do it, and when.

All these temptations are common to man. How can we pray in our struggle to yield less often to temptation?

Verse 13 says that Satan left “until an opportune time.” He watches for times we are especially vulnerable to temptation. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you when your “opportune times” are. Maybe it is when you are physically weak and tired or when you are afraid. Maybe it is times of great productivity and success. We are easy targets when we have been neglecting worship and fellowship with the body of Christ. If I know when an attack is likely, I can put on my armor.

Dave quoted 1 Corinthians 10:13, which promises that God will provide a way of escape when we are tempted. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what an “escape hatch” looks like in your life. It might be remembering that a particular temptation is not the irresistible result of impersonal circumstances but rather a personal attack by the enemy of your soul. “Scram, Satan!” An escape hatch might be an honest conversation with a good friend or not answering the phone or sitting down with God’s word. To use an escape hatch, I must recognize it.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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