February 7, 2025
A motorist slipped the following note under the windshield wiper of his car: “I’ve circled the block for 20 minutes. I’m late for an appointment, and if I don’t park here I’ll lose my job. ‘Forgive us our trespasses.’”
Upon returning, he found a parking ticket with the following: “I’ve circled the block for 20 years, and if I don’t give you a ticket, I’ll lose my job. ‘Lead us not into temptation.’”
While we might chuckle a bit at this encounter, temptation is no laughing matter. As Scripture says, “Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8 CSB).
Examining Jesus’ encounter with Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13), observe that He was “tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15 CSB). While sin can’t be totally eliminated from our lives on this side of heaven, we can certainly follow the lead of our Savior when it comes to doing battle with our adversary. With that in mind, carefully consider and implement the following principles.
Realize temptation is going to come your way. We live in enemy occupied territory, a fallen planet, a world in which the devil is “the ruler of the power of the air … (Ephesians 2:2 CSB). And while he can’t steal your salvation, Satan will use every tool in his box, every arrow in his quiver to hamper your witness and hinder your relationship with God.
Going back to the temptation in the wilderness, the devil knew his days were numbered, that Jesus was up to something very special. So he starts by attacking Him on a basic level, His natural appetites. Having fasted for weeks, the Son of Man had to have been very hungry at this time. Knowing that, the adversary suggested that He turn stones into bread.
Over two thousand years later, the devil still uses the same tactics. Countless people are debilitated, even destroyed, on a daily basis by uncontrolled appetites and addictions.
Next, the evil one led Jesus out of the wilderness to the top of a mountain, offering Him earthly prominence, the kingdoms of this world, and a tainted land spread before Him. In return, our Lord would have to abandon the Father and pledge His allegiance to the tempter.
Oh, the tragedy of it all. How many men and women throughout time have sold their soul and sacrificed an eternal inheritance, receiving a measly bowl of stew in return. As Jesus would later say, “For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life’? (Mark 8:36 CSB).
Finally, Satan took Jesus into Jerusalem, to the pinnacle of the temple. There he suggested Jesus abuse His power by jumping from this lofty height, depending on God to send a rescuing band of angels. Interestingly, the devil adds to the enticement by quoting Scripture (Psalm 91:11).
Unfortunately, such practice continues today. Some people know just enough Bible to make them dangerous, twisting God’s Word around to support a faulty agenda.
Truth be told, doing life in this fallen world means battling Satan. The heat often gets turned up once we decide to go all in for the Lord. Yet, “God is faithful, he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB).
Discovering that “way out” requires resistance. As Scripture says, “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 CSB).
Submitting to God means absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit. Jesus wasn’t alone in the wilderness. The two other Members of the Trinity were there as well. Scripture tells us that Jesus went into the wilderness full of the Spirit and was led by Him while there (Luke 4:1).
A careful study of the Gospels reveals that Jesus made constant reference to the Holy Spirit. In fact, in His humanity, He relied upon the Spirit’s filling throughout His earthly ministry.
So, if our Lord needed the protection and provision of the Holy Spirit, what does that say about us? As D.L. Moody, the renowned 19th-century preacher/evangelist said, “You might as well try to see without eyes, hear without ears, or breathe without lungs, as to try to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit.” Nowhere is that more true than when seeking to overcome the enemy.
Yet, tackling temptation not only involves relying upon the Spirit of God, you must utilize the Word of God as well. When detailing the armour of God, the apostle Paul includes “the sword of the Spirit - which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 CSB). This is the only offensive weapon among those listed (belt, shield, shoes, helmet).
Jesus certainly modeled such warfare when facing the enemy. After each of the three temptations, He responded by quoting directly from Deuteronomy: “Man must not live on bread alone. Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Do not test the Lord your God” (Luke 4:4.8,12 CSB). Since these words spring from God’s commands to the Children of Israel, perhaps the Lord was contemplating their wilderness wanderings while getting ready to embark on His own mission.
Whatever the case, Jesus’ knowledge of and faithful adherence to Scripture helped secure His victory over the evil one on that occasion. The devil would certainly come around again over the next three years of our Savior’s public ministry. Yet, all the powers of hell could not keep Jesus from completing His mission--dying on the cross, shedding His blood to pay sin’s ransom.
It’s not a matter of if temptation will come your way, but rather when. Remember, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NASB). That “He” is the Holy Spirit, Christ in you. The Spirit of God, coupled with the written Word, is there to help you overcome the temptations that come your way.
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Rev. Gaddis has been a pastor for over 34 years, 25 of those in Georgia. He currently lives in Athens and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
