by Robert Robertson

Created on: February 06, 2010

When faced with any choice or dilemma one should always go to the Scriptures first to see what the Word of God has to say on the subject.  When it comes to the topic of temptation, we are fortunate that Scripture is not silent on this subject.  There are numerous references in both the Old and New Testaments.  Since we have a so much material to choose from we will stay in the New Testament and look are how our Lord Jesus handled temptation.

Both Matthew (4:1-11) and Luke (4:1-13) tell us of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness after fasting for forty days.  After fasting for forty days Jesus was hungry and Satan tempted him by saying "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." (Matthew 4:3 ESV)  Jesus replied by quoting scripture, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4 ESV).  Satan also told Jesus, "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, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" (Matthew 4:6 ESV).  Here Satan takes Scripture out of context and uses it to tempt Jesus.  How did He respond?  By quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Every time Satan tempted Jesus, He replied with Scripture.  Jesus had the Word of God in his heart and because of this he was able to resist the temptations that Satan threw at Him.  We are told of His tempting for several reasons; one of them is for us to follow His example.  If you have Scripture hidden in your heart, you will be able to use it to resist temptations.  We should never try to face temptation alone.  We should use the Sword of the Lord in the spiritual battle we are engaged in.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus leaves His disciples to go and pray.  When He returns to them around an hour later, He finds them asleep.  After waking them up He tells them “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41).  The key phrase we should notice here is “pray that you may not enter into temptation”.  That is what Jesus was doing in the garden.  Praying that He would resist the temptation not to go to the cross and be crucified, praying that He would resist the temptation not to do His Father’s will.

Keeping the Word of God in your heart, by reading it and memorizing it and praying, asking God to be strong through you (because we can do nothing without Him) is the best way to face temptation.

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