The Cycle of Temptation: What Jesus Teaches us
The Temptation of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 4, Luke 4, and Mark 1 is a profound experience that holds timeless lessons for believers.
This experience is not merely a historical narrative but a reflection of the spiritual realities we face in our own lives.
To fully grasp what happened in the wilderness, consider what happened to Jesus before and after.
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”
Matthew 3:17
This was God openly acknowledging Jesus as He stepped out of the Jordan River where He was being baptized by John.
No one expected that the bold affirmation would lead to Jesus being tempted by the devil, but it did.
Every temptation the devil brought was solely because of what God had declared concerning Jesus.
Just as it happened in the Garden of Eden, he recognized the power of God’s word and tried to question Jesus’ understanding of that word, the same way he did with Eve.
However, Jesus showed that, unlike Eve, He had more than just knowledge; He had a deep understanding of His place and His divine assignment.
Here are some of the lessons that we can learn from the temptation of Jesus and His response to each one of these attempts.
#1. We Are Often Tempted Through Our Desires
Temptation often originates from our desires, either natural or acquired, and we see it play out in the way that Jesus was tempted.
God’s promises had already become the desires in Jesus’ heart. These promises were the same things the devil tried to offer him in Matthew 4:8. Another instance is when the devil asked Jesus to turn stones into bread, knowing He had not eaten for forty days and nights. The devil cleverly recognized Jesus’ need for food and used it to tempt Him.
James 1:14 also reminds us, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”
#2. Recognizing The Difference Between Good Things vs. “God-Things”
Not every “good” thing aligns with God’s will. The devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread—a seemingly harmless act that would meet His physical need for food. However, Jesus discerned that suggestion, though good, was not of God at that moment.
The difference between Jesus multiplying the loaves of bread and fish, turning water into wine, and turning stone into bread is simple-Although good, it was not what God wanted. It was part of the devil’s ploy to question His certainty of the word of God.
“If you are the son of God…”
He (Jesus) knew exactly who He was, and there was no need to prove it. We learn that just because a thing is beneficial does not mean it aligns with God’s purpose.
#3. The Devil Seeks to Question Our Identity and Knowledge of God’s Word
The devil’s first tactic was to question Jesus’ understanding of His identity.
“If you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3). Almost like him saying, “Are you truly the son that God said you are?”
This was a direct challenge to the approval Jesus received from God at His baptism.
In our lives, the enemy often plants doubts about who we are in Christ. He targets our self-worth, identity, and understanding of God’s promises. Jesus’ response was pivotal—He confidently declared, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
He responded with the Word.
This is noteworthy. Whenever those thoughts or voices that negate the beautiful things that God has said become loud, our response should be louder with the Word.
#4. The Devil Questions Our Understanding-Beyond knowledge, of God’s Word
In the second temptation, the devil quoted scripture, attempting to manipulate the Word of God to deceive Jesus. He said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning you…'” (Matthew 4:6).
However, Jesus showed us that knowing scripture is not enough; we must also have a revelational understanding of it. He countered with another scripture: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7).
Even the devil knows the Word, and he is willing to manipulate it as much as he can, for his own interests. Our own duty is to spend time in the Word, having a revelation that is beyond head knowledge. So that on days when the Word of God is manipulated, we can wisely interpret scripture with scripture.
#5. Temptation Ends When We Resist and Command the Enemy to Leave
In the final temptation, We see how the devil offered Jesus all the “kingdoms of the world” in exchange for worship. Jesus firmly rebuked him: “Away from me, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10).
The more we pat the enemy on the head by quietly wishing him away, the longer we are ready to permit him. Resist him loudly with the Word, just as Jesus did.
The Bible assures us in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Jesus’ victory over temptation shows that we have authority in him to command the same victory.
When we face temptations, we also have an assurance in 1 Corinthians 10:13.
“He will never let us face any temptation beyond our ability. When tempted, He will always provide a way out for us so we can endure.”