How Did Jesus Resist Temptation

How Jesus resisted temptation

As long as we pray with the correct attitude toward God and an upright heart, in His righteousness, we may boldly approach Him with our petitions, knowing that we are truly seeking His glory and His plan for our life. We may confidently declare, “In Jesus’ name,” at that point. To keep up with and like us on Facebook, please do so as follows:

Jesus used the Scriptures to resist temptation

A word to the wise: During Lent, Resurrection will join over 140 other congregations in Kansas City and other locations across the world, including Hong Kong and Ghana, in reading the entirety of Mark’s gospel. This week, we’ll be looking at the first 13 verses of Mark, as well as the different ways Matthew and Luke recounted different sections of the same tale. A video covering the entire Mark passage this week can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Luke 4:1-13

1 After returning from the Jordan River, Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and was led into the desert by the Spirit of God. 2 There, he was tempted by the devil for forty days by the will of God. He didn’t eat anything throughout those days, and towards the end of the week, Jesus was famished. He was told by the devil that he should order the stone to turn into a loaf of bread since he was God’s Son. In response, Jesus stated that the Bible states “People cannot survive just on bread.” 5 Afterwards, the devil took him to a high altitude and showed him in a single second all of the kingdoms of the world.

7 As a result, if you would worship me, you will receive everything.” 8 Jesus responded, “It is written that you shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.” He was transported into Jerusalem by the devil, who stationed him on the roof of the temple, at its highest position.

Matthew 4:1-11 (Journal passage for 2/28)

When Jesus was tempted by the devil, the Spirit took him into the desert, where he stayed for 40 days. 2 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus was famished and cried out for food. 3 Suddenly, the tempter appeared in front of him and said, “Because you are God’s Son, order these stones to turn into bread.” In response, Jesus stated that the Bible states, “People won’t be able to live just on bread, but they will live by every word spoken by God.” 5 After that, the devil transported him inside the holy city and stationed him on the roof of the temple, at the highest point of the structure.

His response to him was, 6 “Because you are God’s Son, cast yourself down; because it is written, I will direct my angels concerning your welfare, and they will lift your body up in their hands so that you will not step on a stone.” 7 Jesus said, “Again, it is stated, ‘Do not test the Lord your God,'” he continued.

9 He stated, “If you would kneel down and worship me, I will give you everything.” 10 Jesus said, “Go gone, Satan, since it is written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” “Go away, Satan,” Jesus said. 11 The devil withdrew, and angels appeared to look after him and care for him.

Reflection Questions

Mark’s limited account of Jesus’ temptation was supplemented by the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The tempter effectively questioned, “Do you realize who you are?” by implying that if Jesus were indeed “the Son of God,” he would use his authority for his own gain. The last two temptations in Matthew’s account were inverted in Luke’s version, probably so that the series began and finished by highlighting Jesus’ frequent temptation to question his status as God’s son, rather than the other way around.

This initial confrontation was critical, but it was far from decisive.

Jesus was victorious because he responded in accordance with the precepts of Scripture.

  • Mark’s limited account of Jesus’ temptation was supplemented by Matthew and Luke. The tempter effectively questioned Jesus, “Do you know who you are?” by implying that if he were indeed “the Son of God,” he would use his authority for his own gain. This may have been done to emphasize Jesus’ frequent temptation to doubt his status as God’s son at the beginning and conclusion of the narrative, rather than the other way around, as in Matthew’s version. Due to the fact that Jesus was fully aware of his own identity, he refrained from succumbing to the temptation of attempting to show it in self-serving manners. This first confrontation was critical, but it was far from decisive. “Go away, Satan,” Jesus said at the conclusion of the episode (Matthew 4:10). Jesus was victorious because he acted in accordance with the ideas of Scripture.

Prayer

Every day, Jesus, son of God, I am confronted with temptations. I want to firmly plant the concepts of your word in my heart so that I can remain on God’s road and avoid the temptation to go my own way, just as you have. Amen.

How to Resist Temptation Like Jesus

Everybody is subjected to temptation. And, on some level, everyone has succumbed to this temptation. Everyone, with the exception of Jesus. I’ve taken a stroll in the desert, where Satan tried to entice Jesus. Oh my goodness, what a place. As far as the eye could see, everything was barren, desolate, and sad. I attempted to fathom the loneliness and difficulty that Jesus must have gone through for more than a month. But I was unable to do so. How did Jesus deal with temptation in this situation?

Temptation Comes in Moments of Need

We can’t even tolerate the thought of being without food for a day or two. Can you imagine going without food for 40 days? Jesus did so in order to prepare for temptation—and as a result, he became severely hungry and in need. And just when He needed him the most, the devil snuck in. (Satan is waiting for opportunities like these.) If You are the Son of God, command that this stone be transformed into bread (Luke 4:3). The devil is not an idiot—and he is certainly not a gentleman. When he tempts, he uses deception to his advantage.

  1. There will be no compromises.
  2. In a vulnerable time, Satan persuaded Jesus to use an illicit means of satisfying His genuine desire for nourishment.
  3. At that point, every stone would become an act of atemptation.
  4. Jesus’ response demonstrates that, despite the fact that He was physically hungry, He was spiritually satisfied: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone,’ according to the Bible (Luke 4:4).

How Jesus Prepared for Temptation

After a few of days of fasting, we can scarcely tolerate it any more! How would you feel if you fasted for forty days? To prepare himself for temptation, Jesus fasted, and as a result, he became terribly hungry and destitute. And just when He needed the devil to come in, he did. This is exactly what Satan is looking for.) In the event that You are the Son of God, command that this stone be transformed into bread (Luke 4:3). Unlike most people, the devil is not a fool, but is he a gentleman either.

There aren’t any.

There will be no pity for them.

Satan appears to have said, “Turn this stone into bread—use your ability to satiate your need.” Oh my God, what a slap in the face!

I assure you, there are lots of stones in the Judean wilderness. Despite the fact that Jesus was physically hungry, Jesus’ response demonstrates that He was spiritually satisfied: “Man shall not live by bread alone,” it says in Scripture (Luke 4:4).

4 Ways to Resist Temptation Like Jesus

We can’t even handle the thought of fasting for a day or two. Can you imagine fasting for 40 days straight? Jesus did so in order to prepare for temptation—and as a result, he became extremely hungry and destitute. And just when He needed someone to help him, the devil snuck in. (Satan is patiently awaiting such opportunities.) If You are the Son of God, command that this stone be turned into bread (Luke 4:3). The devil is not a fool, nor is he a gentleman. The moment he tempts you, he plays dirty.

  • There will be no apologies.
  • In a vulnerable time, Satan persuaded Jesus to use an illegal means of satisfying His lawful hunger.
  • Every stone would thus be transformed into an atemptation.
  • Jesus’ response demonstrates that, despite the fact that he was physically hungry, he was spiritually satisfied: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone,’ says the Bible (Luke 4:4).
  1. Make a conscious decision to commit sections of God’s Word to memory. Request the help of a buddy to hold you accountable
  2. Think on this passage throughout the day and keep it in your thoughts. (Romans 12:1-2) The ultimate objective is the renovation of your mind. Remember that the Scriptures are true and that the temptation is a lie, and when you are tempted, say the verses aloud. If you find yourself being tempted in the same areas again and over again, memorize passages that speak to that subject (see2 below)

4 Resources to Help in Temptation

Please see the following materials, which you may find useful:

  1. Some resources that you might find useful are listed below.

Jesus’ understanding of the Word of God continues to serve as a paradigm for us in the face of adversity. We, like Jesus, have the ability to withstand temptation.

Imitate Jesus’ Ways of Resisting Temptation

God’s spirit takes Jesus into the Judean desert immediately after he is baptized by John the Baptist. He has a lot on his mind right now. “The heavens were opened up” at Jesus’ baptism, according to the Bible. (Matthew 3:16; Mark 10:45) As a result, he has the ability to recall what he learned and accomplished in paradise. Certainly, he has a great deal to think about! Jesus fasts and prays in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. During that period, he doesn’t consume anything. Then, when Jesus is really hungry, Satan the Devil approaches him and tempts him, saying, “If you are a son of God, command these stones to become loaves of food.” Jesus refuses to give in.

  • The Devil’s schemes do not end there.
  • He challenges Jesus to jump off the battlement of the temple and into the sea below.
  • Jesus demonstrates, using quotations from the Scriptures, that it is improper to put God to the test in this manner.
  • Satan is rebuffed once more by Jesus, who exclaims: “Go gone, Satan!” (Matthew 4:8-10; Mark 1:15-16) The fact that he is aware that only Jehovah is worthy of sacred devotion prevents him from succumbing to the desire to do wrong.
  • These temptations, as well as Jesus’ reaction to them, provide valuable lessons for us.
  • He is a genuine person who can’t be seen.
  • What other way could his yielding them up to Christ have been a genuine temptation for him?
  • The Devil may likely attempt to lure us in a similar manner, possibly by presenting us with alluring prospects to gain material money, power, or status in this world.

But keep in mind that the Devil only left Jesus for a short period of time “until another suitable moment.” (See Luke 4:13 for more information.) It’s possible that something similar may happen to us, therefore we must be vigilant.

If Jesus Could Not Sin What Was the Point of Satan Tempting Him?

“Get away from me, Satan!” Jesus said to him. Because it says in the Bible, “Worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.” (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:10) Following his third temptation in the wilderness, Christ responded in this way to Satan, according to the Bible. Satan must have known that Christ would not sin, yet he attempted to entice Him despite this knowledge. What’s the point? In addition, given that Satan’s attempts were futile, why is this story included in the New Testament?

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The Three Temptations

For 40 days and nights, Christ had not eaten a single bite of food. Immediately following his cousin John’s baptism, he withdrew to the desert to be with the Father and to pray for the first time in his life. Satan attempted to demolish the Savior while he was at his most vulnerable. In three points, he challenged Jesus to follow through on his promises: 1. Turn stones into bread by baking them (Matthew 4:3) 2. Jump from the temple’s peak, allowing the angels to rescue Him (Matthew 4:6) 3. Submit to the devil’s will and adore him in exchange for power (Matthew 4:8-9) While Jesus was waiting for the proper temptation, Satan continued to raise the stakes, as if he felt Jesus was merely waiting for the best offer.

The Son was completely and completely obedient to the Father.

Satan’s Purpose

According to one author, Satan attempted to draw Christ away from God’s side, and he “believes he will succeed.” Ultimately, he wants to “somehow murder Jesus” and therefore experience victory over God, presumably as a kind of retribution for having been put into the flaming pits of Hell with his other conspirators as a result of their rebellion. In light of the fact that Jesus was both entirely God and totally man, and so was able to empathize with the reality of human temptation, Satan must have anticipated that He would succumb to His fleshly cravings.

Immanuel was sent “in the shape of sinful flesh,” yet He did not have His heart set on the things of this world.

Because Christ lived by the Spirit, Satan was unable to entice Him in the body.

God’s Purpose

What is the reader supposed to do in the face of Satan’s futility? And how can we live up to Christ’s sinlessness when we know that if we were subjected to this kind of pressure, we would “likely succumb to it”? Instead than making us feel small, the goal is to empower and educate the reader on how he or she may better resist temptation. According to James 4:7, we have the ability to resist the Devil if we follow Christ’s example and submit to the Lord’s will. Christ is our role model: use the Word to combat the wicked one and adore the Almighty.

This story occurred because God permitted it, and we may learn from it about how to maintain our composure in the face of temptation, just as God authorized Satan to tempt Job, and Job responded by worshiping the Lord.

When the Devil persuaded God’s Son to be obedient somewhere else, he offered him the opportunity to take power from and avoid the upcoming hardships at Satan’s side.

When faced with hunger or exhaustion, believers are more inclined to commit sin.

As Jesus waits for God to tend to His body, he puts his faith in the Father’s eternal plan and submits to the will of the Father. We, as Christ’s heirs, have the ability to do so as well. The snake is defeated.

Straight Path in the Wilderness

Utilizing the actual words of God, Matthew 4:1-11 urges Christians to expect and bear evil without succumbing; nevertheless, it also demonstrates how to oppose evil by using the very words of God. Even Christ, rather than presenting some fresh insight, referred to Scripture in order to defend Himself. “I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which may build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified,” Paul remarked in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:32).

“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God,” according to John 1:1, “and the word was God.” While confronting Satan, Christ guards Himself primarily with ― Himself; the unchangeable fact of who He is: the unchangeable I AM.

Twisted Truth

Using the same words of God, Matthew 4:1-11 advises Christians to expect and bear evil without succumbing; nevertheless, it also demonstrates how to oppose evil by using our own words to resist. Instead than inventing new knowledge, even Christ defended Himself by quoting Scripture as a source. “I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which may build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified,” Paul remarked in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:32).

“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God,” according to John 1:1, “And the word was God.” As a result of this meeting with Satan, Christ basically defends himself with — Himself; the reality of who He is: the unchanging I AM.

Self-Defense Classes

When taken out of context, the words of the Lord appear dead and weak. Christ, on the other hand, always understood what the Father was getting at when He said something. He didn’t read the Bible in order to gain something for himself out of it. Rather than testing God, Jesus studied the word in order to put his faith in God. “Pay close attention to appropriate interpretation” and “hide God’s word in your heart so that you might live by it” are some of the advice. This is both our shield and our weapon, so to speak.

iStock/Getty Images Plus/rudall30 iStock/Getty Images Plus/rudall30 Candice Lucey is a freelance writer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Why was Jesus Tempted? Meaning and Significance of the Temptation of Christ

Then the Spirit took Jesus into the desert, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights. In the midst of his fasting for forty days and forty nights, he became hungry. In response, the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become food.” “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” Jesus said. “Man shall not survive on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” The devil then transported him to the sacred city, where he was forced to stand on the highest pinnacle of the temple.

“It is also said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test,'” Jesus responded.

Then he said, “Will you kneel down and worship me?” “All of this I will give you,” he answered.

“Get away from me, Satan!” Jesus said to him. Because it says in the Bible, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.” The devil then left him, and angels appeared and took care of him for the rest of his life. Matthew 4:11 – 11 –

Was Jesus Tempted?

Some individuals doubt that Jesus was genuinely tempted, and instead believe that the biblical tale is only a metaphor. Greg Laurie discusses why he believes Jesus was tempted in the following way, as reproduced in the video above: According to the Bible, Jesus was subjected to temptation. He had been tempted. You may say something like, “Wait a minute, how could God possibly be tempted? Isn’t the Bible clear that God cannot be tempted by evil, and that he himself does not tempt any human being?” Yes, it is correct.

However, the Bible also makes it plain that Jesus was tested by temptation.

It is important to remember that after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, the spirit of God descended upon him in the form of a dove, and the father declared, “This is my beloved son, in whom I delight,” According to the Bible, this spirit led him into the desert where he was tempted by the devil.

It’s important to remember that Lucifer began his speech by stating, “If you’re the son of God, why don’t you convert this rock into a piece of bread?” As a result of this temptation, Jesus rejected, saying, “It is written that man should not live by bread alone, but by every word that emanates from the mouth of God.” Satan also brought Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple’s edge, where he asked, “Why don’t you jump out of here, for it is written,” and the devil references scripture to support his point.

  1. As evidenced by Psalm 91, “His angels will take charge over you to keep you in all your ways,” he explained.
  2. But, listen up: he did not have the interior weakness that would have allowed him to succumb to the temptation.
  3. As you can see, the temptor requires the assistance of the temptee.
  4. And in order for that temptation to be successful, we must desire and crave the item that is being presented to us.
  5. So we can object and say, “Well, then he wasn’t truly tempted,” arguing that because he didn’t have the power to fall, the temptation could not have been genuine.
  6. He was adamant in his opposition.
  7. How many of you have been tempted to sin at some point in your lives?

Okay.

Thank you so much for your assistance.

Now, if only there were one.

Raise your hand if you agree.

That’s fantastic news, and I thank you for sharing it.

No.

It was met with resistance by Jesus.

As a result, Jesus was tested in the same way we are.

Why did he put himself through all of this?

It was essential for Jesus to be exactly like us, his brothers and sisters, in every way.

Because he has personally experienced temptation and pain, he is uniquely qualified to assist us when we are being tempted.

So don’t say anything like, “No one is aware of the difficulties I’m through right now.

And no one has ever had to deal with the kinds of temptations that I’m dealing with right now “but someone has, and that someone is none other than Jesus.

Though no one else can claim to understand exactly what you’re going through, Jesus did, or at least has, and he is now there with you in your moments of temptation as well.

When and Where was Jesus Tempted?

When it comes to coping with the period of temptation, there are three words that stand out. Matthew begins the account with the word “then,” while Mark uses the term “straightway” in this context, which is a distinctive phrase of the Gospel. The book of Luke begins with the word “and.” These phrases “then,” “straightway,” and “and” demonstrate the relationship between the temptation and what came before it, and so identify the moment of its occurrence with remarkable clarity. “After that, Jesus was led up by the Spirit.” When did this happen?

  • ” Here, the emphasis is placed even more heavily on the fact that the temptation occurred directly following the baptism.
  • was driven by the Spirit into the desert for forty days and nights.
  • As a result, the first act of the new phase of service was the testing of the Servant, which culminated in His complete victory over the adversary Satan.
  • TheanointingSpirit had signaled that He was prepared for what was ahead of Him.
  • The entire experience of baptism must have brought great satisfaction to Christ’s heart, and now, in the conscious strength of triumph already accomplished, He journeys into the gloom and loneliness of the desert in order to be tried and, as a result of the testing, to demonstrate His might.
  • According to Matthew, “into the wilderness,” according to Mark, “out into the wilderness,” and according to Luke, “in the desert.” Traditionally, it is believed that the temptation occurred in the desert.
  • Jesus now occupies the position of the second Man, the final Adam.
  • He is referred to as “the second Adam” far too frequently.
  • It refers to Adam as the “last Adam.” The first Adam reigned as the leader of a people.
  • He is the last Adam, and he is the last Adam of a race.
  • There is no adversary there other than the commander of the evil forces, and there is no friend there other than the God in whose hand His breath is, and in whose will all His ways are, and who is also his source of strength.

The wilderness is the location where evil may be dealt with immediately. All ancillary matters are thrown to the side.

Was it Satan Who Tempted Jesus?

As for the agent of temptation, Matthew refers to it as “to be tempted by the devil,” Mark refers to it as “Tempted by Satan,” and Luke refers to it as “Tempted by the devil.” When it comes to Jesus’ wilderness encounter with Satan, the emphasis should be placed on the fact that he came face to face with Lucifer, a fallen angel who had fallen from his lofty position as ruler of the first rank ofheaven and who was now in the position of leader over Satan’s armies during his wilderness sojourn.

  • There have been several attempts to provide other explanations for the desire.
  • The fact that all of this is purely imaginative and has not the smallest biblical foundation must lead to its dismissal as untrue on the spot.
  • This is just as unjustified as the previous one.
  • However, there is no need to waste time on these fruitless attempts to cast doubt on the historical truth of the biblical account.
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Meaning and Significance of the Temptation of Jesus

In order to understand the significance of the temptation, we must go to the gospel stories. “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit,” Matthew writes; Mark says “the Spirit drove Him,” and Luke says He “was led up by the Spirit.” Matthew, Mark, and Luke are all correct. The one fact that has been stated in these many ways must be remembered at all costs if the real significance of this temptation is to be grasped. A Divine plan was in the process of being formulated. In other words, Jesus’ meeting with Satan and trial did not “happen,” to borrow an overused metaphor.

  1. Temptation is part of the Divine design and purpose in this situation.
  2. If the devil had the opportunity to flee on that particular day, I am convinced it would have been done.
  3. However, the entire Divine narrative demonstrates that the facts were quite the opposite.
  4. This is not the approach used by the devil.
  5. He tries to keep his own individuality hidden as much as he can.
  6. His position was changed by Jesus, who pulled him from behind everything and placed him in front of everything so that he might do his worst against a pure soul for once, rather than via the subtlety of a second cause.
  7. It took forty days for him to be tempted by the adversary, during which time he was still guided by the Holy Spirit throughout the entire process.
  8. The only place He resisted was in His flawless Manhood, not in His Deity.
  9. In this way, the Man Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, where he continued to be guided by the Spirit throughout the entire process of temptation.

G. Campbell Morgan’s The Crises of the Christ, Book III, Chapter X, is the source for this adaptation. Photograph courtesy of Pexels/Jeswin Thomas

The First Sunday of Lent: Jesus is tempted in the desert // Faith at Marquette // Marquette University

As one Bible scholar pointed out, if Jesus had not revealed this event to some of his disciples, it would not have been included in the stories of his life and work. He is depicted as being susceptible to the deceptions of Satan. In the aftermath of his baptism, why would Jesus go into the desert for a forty-day retreat? For the same reason, individuals go on retreat: to reflect on who they are, where they are heading, and how they will get there in the best possible way. The blurring of one’s perspective on life occurs as a result of all the noise and bustle of everyday existence.

Matthew 4:1-11

At that point, Jesus was brought into the desert by the Holy Spirit, where he was tempted by the devil. He had fasted for forty days and forty nights and had become hungry as a result. “If you are the Son of God, order that these stones be transformed into loaves of bread,” the tempter said as he approached him and added. “It is written: ‘One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,'” he remarked in response. He was then taken to the sacred city, where the devil forced him to stand on the parapet of the temple and demanded that he throw himself down since he was the Son of God.

“Again, it is stated, you shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test,” Jesus said.

It is written: “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and you shall serve him alone,” says the Bible.

Reflection from the Preface of the Mass:

Because of his forty-day fast, this is considered a holy season of self-denial. Choosing to reject Satan’s temptations has taught us to cleanse ourselves of the hidden corruption of evil, and in doing so to eat his paschal feast with purity of heart until we reach the fulfillment of the meal’s completion in the promised land of heaven.

Suggestions for Reflection

  1. Jesus was tested in the same way that we are. Temptations are not inherently harmful
  2. Rather, it is how we respond to them that determines whether we turn to God or away from God. Were we tempted by temptations as a means of turning to God rather than relying on our own resources? Is there a difference between the ways Jesus was tempted and the ways we are tempted, or is there a similarity? Satan is inviting Jesus to deny his status as the Son of God, which is hidden under the surface of the various temptations he faces. Temptations, aren’t they, an encouragement to abandon the sort of person we want to be and instead turn to harmful means of satisfying ourselves? By refusing to give in to the temptations, Jesus opted to rely on his Father to fulfill his deepest hunger, to relate to people in a normal way, and to not place his trust in his reputation, power, or wealth to provide for him. How can we sate our most insatiable cravings? Do we rely on our position of prominence and power to make ourselves acceptable to others
  3. And Are we going to utilize the forty days of Lent as a time of retreat, setting aside time for extra introspection and prayer

How to Overcome Temptation Like Jesus

Because we are all humans, we are all subject to being enticed to engage in immoral thoughts and activities. We have a natural tendency to do so, and we are up against a cunning adversary who understands how to exploit our flaws against us. We all confront temptations that have very small ramifications on our worldly lives, such as gossiping, lying by omission, or stealing. However, we may also be confronted with temptations that have more serious implications, such as drinking, using drugs, sexual promiscuity, pornography, and gambling, to mention a few examples of such temptations.

It doesn’t matter what the consequences are on the worldly plane; any indulgence in sin has negative consequences for our souls, and unrepentant sin is like cancer to our hearts. It erodes our personal relationship with Jesus. Sin creates a chasm between us and our heavenly Father.

Why are we tempted?

Sometimes we are put through a series of tests to determine how solid our convictions are. God may use our pain and tribulations to strengthen our faith and dependence on him at various times. If we allow temptations to be placed in front of us, it will help us to strengthen our determination. Isn’t it more amazing when someone on a strict diet refuses to eat cake that is there in front of her rather than merely stating that she does not consume sugar that she does so? The same may be said about our religious beliefs.

  1. We must choose the Truth and hold firm to our convictions.
  2. When Jesus and His followers were forced to flee to a predominantly gentile nation, they were contacted by a Canaanite lady who happened to be walking down the street.
  3. When the lady approaches Jesus, he is first deafeningly silent.
  4. It is likely that the disciples wanted Jesus to heal her so that she would stop wailing because the sense of this statement in the original language is to send away with satisfaction.
  5. She doesn’t argue with what He says; instead, she just continues to argue her side of the argument.
  6. When we’re tempted to quit up, it’s important to remember that we need to keep going.
  7. Just before He began His earthly mission, Jesus was subjected to a tremendous deal of temptation.

How was Jesus tempted?

During the desert temptation of Jesus, Matthew 4:1-11 narrates the story of his experience. The Bible informs us that He was “led up by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil,” and that “He was hungry” while in the wilderness. His temptation came in the form of the devil tempting Him to use His God-given ability to change the stones surrounding Him into loaves of bread. Later, Satan attempted to deceive Him by tempting Him with authority and sowing seeds of doubt in His mind. He used terms such as “If you are the son of God.” and “If you are the son of God.” and promised Him unlimited control of the world if He would just worship Satan rather than God.

  • He had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights before to being confronted with the temptations.
  • Our temptations seldom arrive when we are strong and prepared; rather, they frequently come when we are already worn and fatigued, and we are beginning to doubt our faith.
  • He is shrewd and intelligent, and he understands just how to take advantage of our vulnerabilities.
  • Because Scripture may be taken out of context and perverted, it is essential that we determine for ourselves what the true meaning of the text is.

However, throughout these Satanic pleadings, Jesus serves as a paradigm for us on how to effectively withstand temptation. It took him a long time, but he ultimately won the battle and Satan was defeated.

How did He overcome temptation?

So, how did Jesus accomplish this feat? With the truth of God’s Word, we may confront Satan’s deception and defeat him. Despite the fact that Satan delivered temptation after temptation to Jesus, there was always a truth to counter it. Because He was hungry, Satan tempted Him by telling Him that he could change stone into food. As an answer, Jesus cited Deuteronomy 8:3, which states that “man does not live by food alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” In his temptation of Jesus, Satan used and twisted Scriptures that relate to His dominion over the angels in order to persuade Him to cast Himself down on a city and let the Angels to take Him.

  • Finallty, Satan tempts Jesus by promising Him dominion and rule over all the kingdoms of the earth without the necessity of going through with the cross, if only He will adore and swear allegiance to him.
  • Many times they will appear to be very similar to the way that God would have us travel, but we can be certain that the path that is the simplest and least resistant is not the path that God would have us take.
  • In response to this temptation, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, which states: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Jesus was not enticed by Satan’s deceptions because He was confident in the truth of God’s Word in His heart.
  • If we are firmly anchored in the truth, we are impervious to deception and the sowing of seeds of doubt.
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How can we overcome temptation like Jesus?

“Of course Jesus was able to withstand temptation,” you would assume. He is the Almighty! “Can you tell me how I’m meant to do that?” The answer lies in the Holy Spirit, as well as in the act of burying Scripture in one’s heart and mind. Furthermore, there is a theological argument that Jesus “deferred” the fulfillment of his Godhood in order to completely experience humanity. This is why He need the same amount of food, sleep, and rest that we do. This is also the reason why He was able to be tempted in the same way that we are.

We all possess the same supernatural strength that Jesus possessed in order to defeat his tempter.

One of the most effective things we can do to combat temptation is to immerse ourselves in Scripture and learn to remember passages from it.

One of the scriptures I’ve selected to remember is Deuteronomy 6:13, which you can read above. It serves to remind me that God is the one one I’m supposed to serve. This is a helpful reminder for me when I see that other things in my life are taking precedence over my spirituality.

What do we do if we have given in to temptation?

No one, including myself, is without flaws. If we have overindulged or succumbed to temptation, now is the moment to repent and seek forgiveness from God. If we come to him and confess our faults, He is loyal to forgive us (1 John 1:9). This is the time when we endeavor to mend relationships that have been harmed by our wrongdoing, and even when we begin to seek responsibility and guidance in order to battle against temptation. This might take the form of a support group, a devoted accountability partner, counseling, rehabilitative therapy, pastoral counseling, a personal Bible study on the subject, or Celebrate Recovery programs at your local church, among other things.

(2 Corinthians 12:9).

Would you be willing to share this with others if it was encouraging to you?

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My name is Ashley, and I’m the brains behind the Faithfully Planted website. I am 28 years old, a coffee addict, a military spouse, an INFJ, an extroverted introvert, and a 7 on the Enneagram, according to my personality type. The Lord, summer nights, ice cream, coffee dates with my spouse, warm hoodies, and the satisfaction of reading a good book are some of my favorite things in life.

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1st of March, 2020 The book of Genesis 2:7-9 and 3:5-7 Psalms 51:1–4 Romans 5:12-19 (or 5:12, 17-19 if you want) Matthew 4:11 – 11 – When faced with evil, temptation, and sin, this Gospel message is designed to provide us with a sense of hope and comfort. When we meditate on this Gospel lesson, the Scripture commentators remind us that all of the words that Jesus speaks are taken from the book of Deuteronomy, which is widely believed to be the book of law authored by Moses, according to tradition.

  • In the following 40 years, God’s chosen people wandered across the desert, during which time they established a covenant with him, saying, “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” That covenant, on the other hand, was founded on God’s commandments being followed.
  • As a result of Jesus’ arrival, we have seen that the failure of Adam and Eve, the failure of the chosen people, and our own failure as a species to follow God’s path have all been overcome.
  • In Mark’s Gospel, at the conclusion of this incident for Jesus, he observes that the devil had temporarily abandoned him.
  • He had been tempted.
  • He withstood those temptations in the desert, as well as every other time he encountered them.
  • At times, we make decisions that are not in our best interests; we make decisions that are bad and that are against to God’s will.
  • The stories in today’s Gospel are unmistakably illustrations of things that happen in our everyday lives.

That was the first temptation that Jesus encountered: “Make some bread out of these stones.

You can have everything you desire – everything.

More, more, and more is what we desire.

Is it really necessary to have all of these goods, especially if they deprive others of the essential requirements because we have more than we need and we fail to share it with others?

You, on the other hand, live on the word of God.” We must find a method in our own lives to listen carefully to God’s word, to take it in, to absorb it, and to allow it to transform us.

Do you think that this isn’t the type of fast that I enjoy: breaking the chains of injustice and untying the thongs of oppression in order to release those who have been oppressed?

It would include accepting those who are escaping danger or a miserable life and are seeking safety.

That’s what Isaiah has to say to us.

We were tempted in the second temptation, which was, once again, only one illustration of how we may be tempted.

However, Jesus also teaches that you should not draw attention to oneself.

Don’t be like the rabbis, who prefer to pray in a public spot so that everyone may see what they’re doing.

Satan, you’re out of here.” You’d think that this would have been the deciding factor in his decision.

Only the Lord our God is worthy of our adoration.

We pay close attention to God’s word and obey it, as well as following Jesus with all of our hearts.

Similarly to how Jesus overcame temptation and decided to follow God’s plan alone, we must make every effort to accompany him, listen to what he says, act in the same manner as he does, and strive to be like him in all we do.

If we continue in this manner, we shall eventually be walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Those are the characteristics of Christ: peace, forgiveness, and love.

Pay close attention, have an open mind, and follow Jesus.

Ambrose Church in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, and has been published here with permission. On a weekly basis, the transcripts of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton’s homilies are released on NCRonline.org. Sign up here to receive an email notification whenever a new homily is posted on the site.

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QuestionAnswer According to the Nelson’s Bible Dictionary, temptation is defined as “an inducement or invitation to sin, with the implied promise of greater good to be obtained by taking the path of disobedience. Being aware that Satan is the chief “tempter,” as described in Matthew 4:13, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, who has been tempting mankind since our Creator put His first two offspring in the Garden of Eden, serves as a starting point for resisting temptation (Genesis 3; 1 John 3:8). After everything is said and done, however, we know that Satan’s power over Christians is utterly eliminated since the fight has already been won through our Savior’s death and resurrection, which defeated the power of sin and death once and for all.

However, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word, we shall discover ourselves capable of successfully opposing temptations.

Indeed, every one of us is subjected to some level of temptation; even Jesus, who was “tempted in every way, just as we are,” was not exempt from this (Hebrews 4:15).

We are able to liberate ourselves from sin and temptations because of the power of the Holy Spirit, which we receive from God when we ask for His help.

“If you live by the Spirit, you will not be tempted to give in to the desires of your sinful nature,” Paul assured the Galatians (Galatians 5:16).

“I have buried your word in my heart, so that I may not offend against you,” the psalmist writes (Psalm 119:11).

Christians must be attentive in their study of God’s Word, no doubt about it.

I think about it often throughout the day.

Prayer, in addition to God’s Word, can aid us in our efforts to overcome temptation.

Jesus also instructed us to pray so we would not be lured into temptation in the “Lord’s Prayer,” which we may find here (Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4).

This is a promise from God, and Christians, like Abraham, should be “completely convinced” that God has the ability to carry out what He has promised (Romans 4:21).

His willingness to suffer on the cross for us while we were still sinners, despite the fact that He had never committed a transgression, is remarkable (Romans 5:8).

The way we respond to Satan’s worldly temptations is a terrific sign of how much the love of Jesus Christ has taken up residence in our hearts.

We are already inundated with pictures and words that titillate our wicked lusts on a daily basis.

Despite the fact that Christ’s Spirit lives in our hearts, our flesh may be quite frail from time to time (Matthew 26:41).

We are well-prepared to withstand Satan’s attacks because we are armed with the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word (Ephesians 6).

The temptations we face while we walk in the Spirit might be viewed as chances for us to demonstrate to God that He is in fact the master of our life. Questions concerning the Christian Life (return to top of page) What are the secrets of staying away from temptation?

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