LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 4:1, Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Jesus said that walking the narrow way into His kingdom for eternity would be difficult; difficult because temptations to do what we did before He saved us would constantly be brought before us by the devil, old friends, things we see and so on. When Believers experience something really good, prayer is answered, or some other “mountaintop” experience, know that temptation is going to come in a strong way. Matthew, Mark, and Luke write about Jesus being led away by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by Satan. This follows one of those “mountaintop” experiences. He has been baptized in the Jordan River and had been honored by a voice from heaven saying how pleased God the Father was with His Son. What an opportunity that would have been for Jesus to flaunt His deity in some way. Here was His chance to be the leader everyone was expecting, who would lead the people against the evil Romans and set the people free.

Instead, the Holy Spirit led Him to a place where He fasted for forty days and nights. It was at a time when Jesus was weak – He was God but also human – that the devil showed up and tempted to change rocks into bread.  The devil tempted Him to throw Himself off the highest point of the temple if He was indeed the Son of God. And he tempted Him to become the leader of the world in exchange for His worship. Pretty tempting when one is hungry, when people are wanting you to become their leader, or when you just want others to see how important you are. But the Lord Jesus Christ had fasted and prayed, knowing the importance of doing so in order to not bow to temptation. He also showed the value of using God’s Word to bring forth truth when confronted with the lies of the devil.

Jesus was not tested because the Holy Spirit had left him, as seen by the dove descending upon Him at His baptism. The Father had every intention that His Son would endure this time of testing. Each Believer must remember that God never tempts His followers with sin. He may allow Believers times of temptation in order to strengthen their faith; He never wants them to be involved with sin. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted and He was – by the devil. Take a moment to reread that last sentence. Did you get it? The devil does the tempting. There will be those reading this that will remember what we used to laugh at: “The devil made me do it!” After being saved for a long time, I don’t find it cute nor a laughing matter.

Jesus was tempted. He strengthened Himself with fasting and praying. If He did that, don’t you think it is wise to fast and pray to strengthen your walk with Jesus? I am not suggesting you fast for forty days and nights, but taking time to deny yourself while praying would only make you stronger when facing temptation. If you take this time, don’t forget to take your sword with you. The Word of God was used by Jesus in combating the temptations. Know God’s Word and use it when tempted to do something you know is sinful. When tempted by Satan’s lies, when tempted with the need to fulfill your fleshly appetites, or the urge to indulge what pleases your eyes, or when the desire to give an opening to pride, defend yourself with the truth of God’s Word. The walk on the narrow way is not an easy way. It is the way of cleaning and becoming more like our Savior and our Lord. The trials and temptation we face and defeat through the Truth, the Life, and the Way will bring us closer to becoming the person of God He wants us to be!