Matthew 4:1 & 2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
Many of you are familiar with the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness after having fasted for forty days. But sometimes it’s easy to miss what is even in black and white. Look at the first verse of Matthew. Jesus was intentionally led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
Jesus was led by the Spirit…
God does not tempt mankind and He did not tempt Jesus. But the Spirit of God did lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. The reason was to illustrate what Christs’ mission on earth was all about, and to teach believers how to overcome temptation instead of giving in to it.
But Jesus was more than an example for righteous living.
Jesus did not come to earth as a divine ruler and a champion against Roman or religious oppression. Jesus came to suffer. That is a hard concept for us to grasp. But every step our Savior took on earth was in the form of a human being. He did not fall back on His authority as God, in order to deal with His hunger.
Although tempted in the same way that we are, Jesus never fell to Satan. His virtue remained even though He was physically hungry, tired and probably lonely. Think about it. Aren’t those the times we are most vulnerable to satanic attack?
Sometimes we simply submit to the demands of our own selfish, sinful hearts. We overindulge, lash out at others, express jealousy, greed and any other sinful behaviors.
Jesus in the wilderness isn’t just a Bible story. This is the Father unveiling more of His plan. Everything that Jesus did would fulfill God’s plan for himself and mankind.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. 1 John 2:16
Every time Satan slithered at Jesus’ feet, Jesus was armed with God’s Word. There is no excuse for not having at least a few verses ready when faced with the sin that wants to control us. You know what sinful thoughts, motives or deeds tend to dog you.
Instead of being ready with an arsenal of worldly responses, be quick to recall a helpful verse, and even more quickly, cry out for help. “Spirit help me.” Make the response your own. You don’t have to memorize whole passages line by line. For example, “Help me not to look at worthless things. You promised to help me.” That came from Psalm 119, pasted below.
Psalm 119:37-39 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways. Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared. Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
Take a look at each of Jesus’ responses to Satan, below.
Matthew 4:3 “The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’” (Deuteronomy 8:3)
Matthew 4:5-6 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 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 don’t dash your foot against a stone.’ (Psalm 91:11-12)
Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’ (Deuteronomy 6:16.)
Matthew 4:8-9 “Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ “Deuteronomy 6:13”
As we end this study it is very important to understand one thing. When we are tested by God, it may not have anything to do with exposing sin. But if it is for that reason, God will not leave us guessing. Testing is not temptation from God, and it is not punishment. Testing is only ever meant for our growth as followers of Christ. If you are truly going through a time of testing, then you can be sure of your salvation. The Spirit will never test someone who is not born again. 1 Corinthians 2:14
Don’t you see the goodness of God? He loves you so much that He allowed Jesus to suffer hunger, cold, loneliness and Satan…for you.
Click on the link for more understanding about testing, which is from God. You will see that it is very different from temptation, Satan’s device. You will grow to love God more when you have come through.
Read Colossians 2:13-14 from your Bible. Read it out loud as a prayer of thanksgiving. Believers have been given life!
Resources
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 
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