When we get tempted

Estimated Reading time: 5 minutes · Written by Sarah Auger

The story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, is one of the most profound narratives in the New Testament. It is a passage that demonstrates the power of faith, the significance of obedience to God, and the strength required to resist temptation. However, when temptation arrives, most people tend to focus on, “where did this temptation come from and how can I resist it?” Instead, I want to draw us towards the picture of Jesus’ character. Who is Jesus and who is God the Father? And who do they say we are? In light of that, what can we learn about temptation and God’s divine plan for redemption?

Jesus in the wilderness

Before His public ministry began, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This was not an accidental or unfortunate occurrence but a divine appointment. God, in His sovereignty, allowed this testing to demonstrate that Jesus, the Son of God, was fully capable of overcoming the enemy.

This moment came immediately after Jesus' baptism, where He received divine affirmation from the Father: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). This declaration set the stage for what followed, as Satan sought to challenge Jesus' identity as God’s son and his mission of redemption of God’s people.

The first temptation: can I be self-reliant?

After fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus was physically weakened. It was at this vulnerable moment that the devil approached Him with the first temptation: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread” (Matthew 4:3).

On the surface, this may seem like a harmless suggestion—after all, Jesus was hungry. However, the true temptation was not about food but about self-reliance versus trust in God. The devil was enticing Jesus to use His divine power to serve His own needs rather than depend on the Father’s provision.

Jesus' response to temptation was profound: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). By quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, Jesus drew a parallel to the Israelites' experience in the wilderness, where they wandered for 40 years. During this time, God provided daily manna, a bread, instructing them not to save it, but to trust in His provision. When they failed to trust and hoarded the bread, it spoiled, showing their lack of faith.

In contrast, Jesus demonstrated that we don’t have to give in to temptation. He came to show us a new way and to remind us that we are not alone. As God's Son on Earth, He came to restore our relationship with God, and we no longer rely on our own strength. Through Jesus, we are already on the winning side because He secured the ultimate victory. Just like the Israelites in the desert, the real challenge is not about whether Jesus will give in to temptation, but about how we face our own struggles with Him as our guide.

The second temptation: can God protect me?

Next, the devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and said, “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).

Here, Satan used Scripture in an attempt to manipulate Jesus. By quoting Psalm 91:11-12, he twisted its meaning to suggest that Jesus should test God’s protection. However, Jesus saw through the deception and responded, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’” (Matthew 4:7).

This response teaches us a crucial lesson: faith is not about forcing God’s hand or demanding signs. True faith trusts God’s will and does not seek to manipulate Him. Jesus refused to act presumptuously, reinforcing the importance of humility and trust in divine wisdom.

The third temptation: can I be king of my own life instead?

The final temptation was perhaps the most blatant. The devil took Jesus to a high mountain, showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He then made an audacious proposal: “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9).

Satan was offering Jesus a shortcut to kingship—without the suffering of the cross. He sought to entice Jesus with power and authority, bypassing God’s plan for salvation. However, Jesus did not waver. He rebuked the devil, saying, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (Matthew 4:10).

This response highlights Jesus’ unwavering commitment to God’s authority. Unlike Adam, who succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden, Jesus remained steadfast. His victory in the wilderness foreshadowed His ultimate triumph over sin and death on the cross.

We all desire to be important, to have authority, and to be seen. Yet, we can set down these desires, just as we can set down our burdens, knowing that Jesus will take them and that He sees us. With Jesus at the centre of our lives, we embark on a journey of trust, even when the path is unclear. But we are assured that it is a journey filled with unconditional love and acceptance. Even when we feel like we’re stepping into the unknown, we are never alone; we walk with a God who created the universe, holding our hand, saying, “I am with you, and I am for you.”

The Promised Land is there

With Jesus at the heart of our stories, we even view death differently, for it is no longer the end but the beginning of something new—a relationship that lasts forever in our eternal home. When we reflect on the wilderness, where both Jesus and God’s chosen people found themselves, we may see it as a lonely, uncertain place, a place of fear and temptation. But I love this quote from Sarah B.C., which reminds us: “The wilderness is the place where you meet with God face to face, without anything standing between you.”

In the wilderness, we have a choice: to run towards God, knowing His arms are open wide, or to run towards the temptations that pull us away. These distractions, much like the manna that spoiled for the Israelites, will fade and become lifeless.

The Promised Land was always there for the Israelites, regardless of their faithfulness. It didn’t disappear; they just hadn’t reached it yet. The same is true for you today. The Promised Land is waiting, and God is there.

The original teaching has been edited for clarity and brevity; This is not a transcript.