28-Aug-2024 – Know the truth to overcome the temptations

Published by Bro. Sunil Binkam on August 28, 2024August 28, 2024

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. – Matthew 4:1

This chapter is well-known to all of us. In this chapter, we see the temptations of the Lord Jesus Christ during His forty-day fast in the wilderness. Today, we will meditate on and learn from our theme, prayer.

The first verse tells us that the Lord was taken to the wilderness. The wilderness means a neglected, uncultivated, and abandoned land. In a different sense, it means an unfavorable situation, where no human help is available. The Lord was taken to this kind of place. From a human perspective, the Lord would seem vulnerable.

In our lives, this wilderness experience is also allowed by the Lord for a reason. When no one is there to stand for us, and when nothing is favoring us, we will learn the truth about how to stand strong. If we go further, there are three kinds of temptations recorded in this chapter.

And when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” – Matthew 4:3

Here, the devil tempts Jesus Christ to prove His claim of being the Son of God. How did Satan want Him to prove it? By turning the stones into bread. Now, if we think in that same context, Jesus could definitely turn the stones into bread because He is God. But why was Jesus sent?

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” – John 6:38

Here, Jesus knows His mission clearly. Even though Satan tries to deviate Him, Jesus remains firm in His mission. This is a great example for us even today. When our faith is observed by people around us, they may ask us to prove it by doing something. For example, we might say in a situation, “I will pray and let you know based on what God reveals.” Immediately, people around us may mock and even ask us to prove it by praying for something to confirm whether God is really speaking to us.

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” – Matthew 4:4

If we observe Jesus’ answer, He addresses the reason why Satan asked Him to prove it. Jesus was in need of food after His fasting. In our scenarios as well, we will have various needs—whether financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual. Whatever the need may be, it is fulfilled by the Lord. Our faith does not need to be proven before unbelieving troublemakers. Instead, our lives, visible before them, will serve as a testimony to them.

And said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over You,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear You up, lest You dash Your foot against a stone.'” – Matthew 4:6

Now Satan asks Jesus to prove another aspect. If Jesus were in trouble and asked His Father for help, His Father would definitely send the required aid. However, Jesus does not need to put Himself in trouble to prove this. In the same way, suppose you refer to the faith of Daniel and how God protected him from the den of hungry lions. If someone asks you to demonstrate this by entering a lion’s cage or a tiger’s cage, how should you respond?

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'” – Matthew 4:7

We know that the Father responds to our genuine needs and necessities. However, when provoked by others, we need to discern whether proving our faith is necessary, or if we are tempting God. Any situation that equates to tempting God should be avoided. For example, just to prove that God performs supernatural works, we should not willingly put ourselves into trouble without any reason or instruction from the Lord.

And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” – Matthew 4:9

Finally, Satan tries to take control of Jesus by offering Him worldly riches. But Jesus immediately rebukes Satan by quoting the scripture, which says, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.” Consider, for example, Jacob and Esau. When Esau wanted the stew, Jacob asked for his birthright. The foolish Esau gave up his birthright. In our lives as well, the ministry, life, and opportunities given by the Lord for His glory cannot be given up for the pleasures of this world.

So today, our prayer is to seek help and guidance from the Lord to identify such temptations, stand strong, and stand on the truth of the Word, to triumphantly overcome the situation at hand—without tempting the Lord or giving the devil an opportunity to take control.

Prayer

Dear loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You for reminding us of these important aspects of our lives, to be careful. Help us always check whose glory we are seeking, and what we are proving, and for whom we are proving. Help us to always remember that our lives are here to glorify You alone. I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen!