Throughout every generation of mankind’s existence, we have all been tempted in a variety of ways. And in honesty, it is not always easy to do, say, or think the right things. That is why we MUST learn the power of the Holy Spirit, that dwells within all true believer’s in Jesus Christ, and lean on His strength. In Luke 4:1-13, Jesus gives us a prime example of how this works.
The Temptation of Jesus
1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread (First temptation).” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory (Second temptation), for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.’”
9 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, 10 for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to guard you,’
11 and “‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone (Third temptation).’”
12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The nature of Jesus’ three temptations strikingly resembles the three kinds of temptations that The Apostle John talks to Christians about in 1 John 2:16-17 which reads, 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. The temptation to turn stones into bread was in order to satisfy the desires of the flesh, to rule over all the kingdoms of the world was meant to satisfy the desire of the eye, and to have Jesus’ life spectacularly saved by God’s angels after jumping off the temple exemplifies the temptation of the pride of life, because it was not part of God’s plan of salvation, which was the entire reason for sending His Son. Yet, in this passage, we see that Jesus clings to the truth of Scripture, and in no way, gives in to any of the temptations of Satan.
In verse 13, it appears that there was other times that Satan tempted the God-man, Jesus Christ.
It should be noted, that the Bible clearly teaches that Christ was tempted in all ways, just as we are: Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
So, how did Jesus not give into sin like we do? Most would say, “Because He’s God,” but, is that what the text tells us? The very next verse gives us the answer, Luke 4:14a,And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee. Remember also that verse one tells us that it was the Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness, not Satan. Which means, from start to finish, the Son of Man relied completely on the Holy Spirit to strengthen Him. Jesus was able to do this only because He had a true and real relationship and fellowship with Him. Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.
What this actually means is, by Jesus NEVER giving into temptation, he had the hardest life-long struggle with temptation, since all of us give into it and immediately experience a period of time where we no longer struggle, because we gave into the temptation. This is where we must learn to lock arms with the Holy Spirit (as Jesus while on earth did) and work to mortify (kill) the deeds of the flesh.
Brothers and sisters, with God, we always have hope. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 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. Praise be to God.
By: Daniel C. Rodgers