One of the very first tasks the Spirit gave Jesus after he began his earthly ministry was to go into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Jesus made his first public appearance as Messiah, heralded by John the Baptist, was baptized, received the Father’s blessing, and immediately underwent a time of temptation.
Jesus left the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by the devil…. After the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.
Jesus fasted and endured temptation for 40 days to prepare for the rest of his ministry. As we know, he would face many trials on our behalf, and he would be victorious in all of them!
In this passage, Jesus shows us three strategies to face temptations in our own lives. He also gives us the sweet assurance that he understands our struggles, is by our side to guide us, and will ultimately lead us to victory over Satan.
Jesus Endured Great Temptation
Take a moment, and really think about what exactly Jesus went through. I have blazed through this passage many times and moved straight into his teachings. Maybe you have, too. What Jesus goes through in those five minutes of reading, though, is incredible. This scene was not, “Boom, Boom, Boom!” Satan, the accuser, stalked Jesus for 40 days. Notice these 40 days make up 1/30 of Jesus’ entire earthly ministry from baptism to crucifixion. That is a huge chunk of time!
Imagine 40 days from now. Can you imagine being lonely, hungry and far from home until that day, all while your worst enemy is attacking and seeking your demise? In that time, Satan did everything he could to keep Jesus from making it to the cross, but he failed.
Recognize Satan’s Tactics
Satan uses three tactics over and over. He used them to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, and he will use them against you, too. John outlined these tactics to warn us against them. (1 John 2:16).
- Desires of the flesh
- Desires of the eyes
- Pride of life
John warned us, “For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16).
Our Kingsland Pastor Ryan Rush describes these three attacks as the temptation to feel something; the temptation to have something; and the temptation to be something.
Spot Satan’s Tactics in Action
Examine potential moments of temptation in your life that may go unnoticed as minor annoyances or insecurities. I have faced spiritual battles that lasted hours and were all out war, but sometimes temptations are sneaky. They work like little jabs that penetrate and distract your thoughts for a few moments . . . and then a few moments more. I call these “bee stings” — small venomous injections when you least expect them. Consider three bee stings I experienced just this week.
Monday: The Pride of Life (to Be Something)
On Monday, I noticed I struggled with the pride of life, in other words, to be something. Jesus faced this same temptation in the wilderness and resisted!
So [Satan] took [Jesus] up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to him, “I will give you their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. If you, then, will worship me, all will be yours.”
And Jesus answered him, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
I woke up 5 a.m. Monday morning before my alarm (a very rare occurrence), and I remembered again a few months ago how I botched a singing audition. I had hoped to further my growth as a worship leader by entering new challenges that would deepen my dependence on the Lord. I worked hard preparing and went in determined to give my best, but I was not ready for what happened next.
Satan used this moment to make me question my role in leading worship altogether. He put my focus on my desire to be someone and momentarily took my focus off of serving my Father. He whispered lies to me like “you will never being good enough to lead.” He encouraged me to quit doing what I love because it brings glory to our Father and leads myself and others to the throne!
Tuesday: The Desires of the Eyes (to Have Something)
On Tuesday, I saw that I struggled with the desires of the eyes, in other words to have something I did not. Jesus faced this temptation, too, in the wilderness and again resisted!
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
But Jesus answered him, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone.”
I have struggled with screen time and social media for years. It is an easy temptation for me to fall into daily. I constantly want to see what others are doing and compare, and it all turns into a “lust of the eyes.” At first, it satisfies like the taste of honey, but then when I see the total hours of screen time at the end of the day I spiral over the opportunities I missed to be present instead of on the phone. This temptation is a sneaky, deceitful and harmful one!
Wednesday: The Desires of the Flesh (to Feel Something)
On Wednesday, I noticed a struggle with the desires of the flesh, to feel something. Scripture tells us Jesus faced this temptation, too, and as with all the others, he resisted!
So [Satan] took him to Jerusalem, had him stand 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 give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you, and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
And Jesus answered him, “It is said: Do not test the Lord your God.”
I, like most, struggle with wanting my peers to like me. I regularly volunteer at my children’s elementary school, and I was awarded “Volunteer of the Year” last year! I loved working up at the school for hours alongside teachers and other women who give so much for the betterment of all our precious children. This year, however, my work schedule shifted, and while I continue to volunteer, I do not participate as much on campus. I hardly see any of the lovely people I worked with anymore. I longed to feel I was still a part of the team, and I was tempted to believe that everyone had forgotten about me and was moving on without me.
What are we supposed to do when temptations come our way?
Practical Strategies to Help You Combat Temptation
One reason the Father allows temptation is because it can strengthen you! Scripture tells us at the very start of Jesus’ earthly ministry that he “was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.” (Luke 4:1–2). Jesus’ experience with temptation prepared him for every trial he would encounter all the way to the cross. Jesus’ brother, James, wrote, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2–4).
Temptations offer you a divine opportunity for growth in faith and witness. Jesus experienced every temptation known to man and came out victorious. (Heb. 4:15). He knows what you face every day because he has been there. Even more, he knows you will fail many times, and he is ready with forgiveness, mercy and guidance we do not deserve. (Heb. 4:15–16).
Even now, you are a conqueror of temptation, sin and death because Jesus, the victorious One, loves you with an unconditional love that has covered your every shortcoming!
1. Pray for Help
When temptation comes your way, lean on Jesus’ example and pray. Jesus told his disciples, “Whenever you pray, say, Father … do not bring us into temptation.” (Luke 11:2–4). Ask the Lord for help! “[A]pproach the throne of grace with boldness, so that [you] may receive mercy and find grace to help [you] in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). God exercises power over the Tempter and can save you from temptation.
2. Quote Scripture
In response to Satan’s lies and temptations in the wilderness, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy three times. (Luke 4:4, 8, 12). Satan pulls us into temptation with his many lies. Remind your spirit of the truth. This strategy still works today. Sing praise music full of Bible verses to the Lord. Listen to K-Love, KSBJ, or Air1 on your phone or radio!
3. Memorize Psalm 23
King David wrote Psalm 23 to remind himself of the Lord’s goodness and provision when he experienced temptation, including desires of the eyes and flesh and the pride of life.
The first four verses of this psalm combat desires of the eyes.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have what I need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
he leads me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
Verse five combats desires of the flesh.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Verse six combats the pride of life.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
as long as I live.
Temptations surround us. Great or small, no matter what temptation you face, remember that the One who defeated them all is the same One at your side to help you through!
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