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Matthew 4

It is difficult to imagine forty days without food. It is God’s plan for the Holy Spirit to lead Jesus into the wilderness to fast for that length of time. The devil takes the opportunity to try and stop Jesus’ redemptive ministry by tempting Him using three basic tactics: the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. Each time Jesus refuses to listen and uses Scripture to refute him. Following this, an angel comes and comforts Jesus. Jesus then travels to Galilee to begin His ministry. He begins with this powerful sentence: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus gathers up His first four apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. He then goes about healing people and preaching “the gospel of the kingdom.”

Satan is not particularly creative. When he tempted Jesus with stones to bread, with the world’s glory, and with leaping from the temple, it was no different than the temptations Adam and Eve faced in the garden. He appeals to fleshly desires, distracted eyes, and a sense of importance. Adam failed. Jesus succeeded. In the footsteps of Jesus, with Scripture in our hearts and hands, we also can face temptation and stand with God. The result will be like Jesus: God will strengthen us, upholding our efforts, drawing us to people of faith who will walk with us, and opening opportunities to use our proven faith to share the gospel of the kingdom more boldly with others. 

Great God of glory, thank you for sending Your Son to show us what it means to fully trust in You. Help us face our times in the wilderness with the same resolve to honor You in all circumstances. Will You give us the clarity we need to see through the devil’s tactics? We pray for comfort and support from those who have faced Satan and stood firm. We also pray to be those traveling companions for others, as we share in our common mission of telling others what is possible through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Thought Questions: 

-       Will you be aware today of Satan’s three tools: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life? How will awareness help?

-       How is facing temptation strengthened by quoting God’s word? How will you use Scripture to refute the devil’s work today?

-       Why is it vital to get to work for Christ immediately following temptation? What mission will you stay focused on today no matter what?