How Can You Overcome Temptation?
February 28, 2023
How Can You Overcome Temptation?
By Brooke Holt
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4
Many times in each one of our lives we must decide to whose voice we will listen – the voice of the nightly news, social media, parents, friends, Satan, the pastor, etc. Many, many voices are out there vying for our attention. Who has the final say?
Though he was the Son of God, Jesus had to choose whom to listen to and follow. As he spent forty days in the wilderness fasting, praying, and preparing for the three years of ministry ahead of him, Satan came to Jesus with a mirage of challenges and temptations. Satan questioned Jesus’ identity tempting him to prove who he really was. He challenged Jesus to test God by throwing himself off a cliff. When that did not work, Satan tempted Jesus to bypass the pain of the cross, to bow down and worship Satan, and then to gain authority over the kingdoms of this world (to see all three temptations read Matthew 4:1-11).
How would Jesus respond to Satan’s questions, challenges, and temptations? Jesus responded with scripture: “It is written” (Matthew 4:4). Three times in the wilderness Satan challenged and tempted Jesus and three times Jesus quoted scripture back to Satan. At the end of this exchange between Satan and Jesus, Jesus stands firm, Satan departs, and the angels come to minister to Jesus (see Matthew 4:11).
As we enter this first full week of Lent, what can you glean from this wilderness experience between Jesus and Satan? Trials will come in your times of fasting and weakness. No matter what you committed to for this season, Satan will question you – should you really give up social media? Should you really abstain from sugar, wine, or television? Satan knows the pull of your fleshly desires. He knows the struggle in turning from them, but he also knows the power of the Holy Spirit in you. When you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to overcome as Jesus did, it is transformative.
God’s Word can overcome the words of Satan; God’s Spirit can overcome the temptations of Satan. The question throughout this season of Lent (and all throughout your life) is whose word will you listen to – the voice of the Lord through the Scriptures and the Spirit or the voice of Satan? When the temptations come, be prepared to respond with Scripture and prayer. Have a Lenten verse memorized and ready to speak out as needed.
Reflection:
Jesus came out of these forty days and began his public ministry. What do you think the Lord wants to do in you and then through you after these forty days? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
How Can You Overcome Temptation?
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4
There are many times in each one of our lives that we must decide to whose voice we will listen – the voice of the nightly news, social media, parents, friends, Satan, the pastor, etc. Many, many voices are out there vying for our attention. Who has the final say?
Though he was the Son of God, Jesus had to choose whom to listen to and follow. As he spent forty days in the wilderness fasting, praying, and preparing for the three years of ministry ahead of him, Satan came to Jesus with a mirage of challenges and temptations. Satan questioned Jesus’ identity tempting him to prove who he really was. He challenged Jesus to test God by throwing himself off a cliff. When that did not work, Satan tempted Jesus to bypass the pain of the cross, to bow down and worship Satan, and then to gain authority over the kingdoms of this world (to see all three temptations read Matthew 4:1-11).
How would Jesus respond to Satan’s questions, challenges, and temptations? Jesus responded with Scripture: “It is written” (Matthew 4:4). Three times in the wilderness Satan challenged and tempted Jesus and three times Jesus quoted Scripture back to Satan. At the end of this exchange between Satan and Jesus, Jesus stands firm, Satan departs, and the angels come to minister to Jesus (see Matthew 4:11).
As we enter this first full week of Lent, what can you glean from this wilderness experience between Jesus and Satan? Trials will come in your times of fasting and weakness. No matter what you committed to for this season, Satan will question you – should you really give up social media? Should you really abstain from sugar, wine, or television? Satan knows the pull of your fleshly desires. He knows the struggle in turning from them, but he also knows the power of the Holy Spirit in you. When you allow that Holy Spirit to lead you to overcome as Jesus did, it is transformative.
God’s word can overcome the words of Satan; God’s Spirit can overcome the temptations of Satan. The question throughout this season of Lent (and all throughout your life) is whose word will you listen to – the voice of the Lord through the Scriptures and the Spirit or the voice of Satan? When the temptations come, be prepared to respond with Scripture and prayer. Have a Lenten verse memorized and ready to speak out as needed.
Reflection:
Jesus came out of these forty days and began his public ministry. What do you think the Lord wants to do in you and then through you after these forty days? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Recommended Resource:
Could you use some hope right now? Join Peter’s first audience—“elect exiles” undergoing persecution—and experience the apostle’s powerful call to follow Jesus in the midst of life’s challenges, knowing your Living Hope is not a distant one, but a daily, glorious, life-giving reality! This unique six-week small group Bible study, A Living Hope: A Study of 1 Peter, helps you uncover the priceless promises written specifically to the struggling and the hurting, with pastoral gentleness and bold confidence for the future. This study of 1 Peter will help you become utterly convinced that Jesus is the only sure, true, incorruptible, and permanent hope for you.
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