“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

Dearest Believer,

If you look back at your most difficult temptations, what preceded them?

How did they change you? Did the enemy succeed? Did you get stronger in Christ? What are some patterns in the way temptations come to you?

Most importantly, how can you be better prepared for them in the future?

Let’s look at the best example and model of temptation strategy – Jesus. 

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.”

Luke 4:1

After Jesus is baptized and God the Father audibly speaks His pleasure in regards to His Son, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him like a dove. The scene here is filled with the audible, visual, and physical signs of the Godhead. The next time Scripture mentions Jesus, He is being led into the wilderness and tempted by the devil for 4o days. This was in God’s plan. The Messiah, as a man, will be tempted, as a man. Although Scripture shares only three temptations while Jesus is in the wilderness only means these were the ones that need be highlighted. With each temptation, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ strategy against the devil is GOD’S WORD! 

 Temptation #1- Appeal to physical needs

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread”.

Temptation #2-Appeal to the desire for power

And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment in time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory…If you, then, worship me, it will all be yours.”

Temptation #3- Appeal to Protection and Safety.

And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you.’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Aren’t these temptations we ourselves face? We are tempted with physical, emotional, and practical needs and desires.  Jesus, being God, could have easily rebuked the devil, or done away with him in an instant. But why didn’t he? He did it out of obedience to God the Father, and love for us. God incarnate was to be our sympathetic high priest. We can trust he understands our temptations and our human weaknesses because he does- yet without sin (Heb.4:15). We can come to him with the knowledge that being a human being comes with many challenges. He knows and he understands. He not only understands, but he leaves an example of resisting those temptations with the Sword of the Spirit and His power, might, strength, and authority (2 Tim.1:7, Eph.6:10-11, Luke 10:12). So what is the plan next time you are faced with temptation? James 4:7 gives us a clear plan of action:

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Isn’t this the example Jesus left for us? 

Submit to God

Come before God daily in prayer and commit your day to Him. Submit your will to your Creator and protector as He guides your steps through the challenges of life on this earth. Trust in His power and His strength to overcome what you face on a day-to-day, moment-to-moment basis.  

Resist the devil

Study God’s Word, meditate on it, memorize it. This is your offensive weapon against temptation. Remember whose child you are and whose power is backing you. Stand firm on the promises and truths in Scripture. Reach out to the body of Christ, your prayer warriors. 

…And he will flee from you. Note that in the beginning scripture of the temptation of Jesus, the devil, ‘departed from him until an opportune time’ (v.13). The enemy does not give up easily. He will continue to present temptations. However, with every trial and temptation, and testing of our faith, comes steadfastness and growth, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4). And when we have stood the test, we will “receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).

So keep trusting, submitting, and resisting, dear Believer, “for to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” 1 Peter 2:21.

The Lord be with you, 

Bianca