We don’t normally think about Jesus as being subject to temptation. But, the Bible tells us that the temptation of Christ happened when He went into the wilderness. The good news is that Jesus won in the end – we did too!
Today, we’ll look at Matthew 4:5-11, where Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness. And, we’ll learn how His responses can inspire us to trust God’s Word in our own struggles.
This world is full of temptation. And, it doesn’t matter whether you are a Methodist, Baptist, Jewish or Islamic. So, we must beware and avoid situations which might put us in compromising positions.
In the time of Christ, temptation abounded as we will see in this Scripture study of Matthew.
Temptation of Christ – How Jesus was Tempted by Satan
Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’;
and
‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'”
Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'”
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'”
Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. – Matthew 4:5-11 NASB
How Did Christ Respond to Temptation?
Jesus responded to Satan’s temptations by saying not to put God to the test (Deuteronomy 6:16). He knew all the tricks and schemes the devil could muster so He overcame them. Unlike Gideon, who sought tangible signs to confirm God’s will, Jesus relied on His unwavering faith and understanding of scripture to resist temptation.
Gideon’s requests for signs reflected a human desire for reassurance, while Jesus demonstrated that true faith does not require constant proof. By refusing to test God, Jesus relied upon the strength of trust and obedience in the face of trials.
Jesus’ example of faith and obedience to God serves as an inspiration to us all to remain steadfast and faithful in the face of adversity.
Testing God
We are by design, people of little faith. As a result, we like to see proof of every situation that happens on this earth — and in the skies.
You and I might want to ask God to demonstrate his existence, or his love for us through a miracle or sign. But, God wants us to walk by faith. Most likely, He will not respond to requests for signs just to prove He is alive.
Faith requires trust and belief in God’s wisdom and plan, even when circumstances are uncertain or challenging. By prioritizing faith over evidence, God encourages us to develop a deeper relationship with Him, grounded in trust and reliance rather than tangible signs. This fosters spiritual growth and maturity, allowing us to navigate life’s trials with confidence in His presence and purpose.
Seeing is Not Always Believing
Jesus once taught through a parable that people who don’t believe what is written in the Bible won’t believe even if someone came back from the dead to warn them (Luke 16:31)!
God wants us to live by faith; not by magic. We can’t manipulate God’s plan by asking for signs. So, when temptations come (and they will), remember what Christ did.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 and get more information.