Testing and Temptations

Scripture:  “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness …”  Matthew 4:1

 

This came from our daily reading in Matthew 4:1–11, Matthew 4:12–25

 

Study Tip:  Remember you can break the readings up into multiple readings throughout the day if you need to.

 

Observation:  We often go through, as Jesus did, times of testing and we face temptations.  Jesus suffered like we do.  Notice that Jesus’ temptation came after a great experience (His Baptism).  We may also find this to be true in our own lives.  We may have a mountain top experience with the LORD.  We may experience victory and then all the sudden find ourselves “fighting for our lives”.  This was true in other examples in the Bible as well.  Look at Elijah’s life in I Kings 18-19.

 

“God often uses the temptations that come into our lives. It can be his way to make us grow in our Christian lives.” – Stephen Dray

Sometimes we think Jesus was tempted after the 40 days only, but Luke tells us in his version (Luke 4) that it was a temptation for the whole 40 days.  There was no quick escape from this trial.  Often the same can be true for us as well.

 

Jesus used the Word of God to fight off those temptations.  Too often in my own life I feel like I don’t even fight.  I just give in, like somehow I don’t have a choice, but I do!  I do not have to be defeated in times of testing and temptation.  I think that bears repeating.  WE DO NOT HAVE TO BE DEFEATED IN TIMES OF TESTING AND TEMPTATION.  Yesterday we talked about the power of the Holy Spirit which comes into our lives and gives us power.  Through His Spirit and power we can overcome.  Allow His Spirit, in fact pray that the Spirit, would bring to mind His Word in times of trials and temptations to guard your heart and mind.

 

I’m not saying it will be easy, it was not easy for Jesus.  It says when the temptation was over (and it will NOT last forever!) the angels came and ministered to Him.  He passed the test and was ministered to by the angels.  Pray that the LORD would send ministers to you as well.  It may or may not be angels; perhaps it will be through the word of encouragement or a song on the radio and a post you read.  Stay strong and allow God to minister to you.

 

Be prepared.  It said Satan left Jesus until a more opportune time.  Satan wasn’t going to give up, he just needed to regroup.  The same is true for our lives.  Temptation won’t last forever, but it doesn’t mean it won’t come back either in the same or even different form next time.  This is why studying the Word and staying accountable is so important.  Groups like these help us and encourage our walk in the Lord.  Don’t be afraid to raise your hand and yell, “Help!” either.  Let people support you in prayer and encourage you in times of trouble and temptation.

 

Also packed into these verses we see Jesus grieving and withdrawing after the death of His cousin, John the Baptist.  Isn’t it interesting that it wasn’t long after Jesus was baptized that John was killed?  John fulfilled his purposes in this life and then he was no more.  He did what he was sent to do.  Immediately after that Jesus picked up baton and took off where John left off preaching the same message of God’s kingdom and the need for repentance.  In doing so Jesus gathered around Him friends and helpers – the disciples.  Here we see the first four being called – not for Jesus to teach them and fill them up with information, but so that they could JOIN Him in His work.

 

Along with the message of repentance Jesus also brought with Him the miracles of healing.  The passage tells us He healed various diseases and mentioned a few by name.  It said He healed EVERY DISEASE.  In Jesus we can find healing.

 

Application:  This passage encourages me that in Him there is healing and strength to overcome all sorts of obstacles, tests and temptations.  How do you fight off temptations?  Is there a certain passage of Scripture that you rely on to get you through various trials?  Do you think we are born for a purpose?  Have you experienced healing in your life and what does that mean to you?  Jesus called His disciples to leave their jobs and their families to work with Him.  How do you see this as applicable in our day and age?

 

Please comment or discuss one or more of the questions above or on anything else that stuck out to you in your daily reading.

 

Prayer:  Father in Heaven, I am so thankful that You help us and minister to us during and after times of trials and temptations.  I thank you also for the healing that You provide to us.  Your Word says that through Your stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53) and certainly one day we will experience that complete and utter healing, but while we are on this earth we want to experience healing of the various diseases that afflict us.  We know that sin breeds brokenness and disease, but You are bigger and greater than all of it.  Minister to those who are suffering and we ask for Your mighty, healing hand to be upon each one of us.  Protect us from the evil one.  When temptations and trials come (and they will) I pray Lord for Your Holy Spirit to bring to mind Your Word and the Work You did on the cross to save us.  Help us to recall Your Word and to stand strong before the accuser and to be overcomers.  Thank you for Your Son Yeshua.  Amen & Amen.

 

Today’s challenge:  Write down a verse or verses that speak to your current situation or toughest temptations.  Memorize and study the verse(s) so the next time temptation comes a knockin’ you can fight like a warrior!  Become a Bible Ninja!

 

Going deeper:  Did you know?  Capernaum was a special place in Galilee.  It belonged to the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali.  The people who lived there had had very hard times and had suffered a lot, but Isaiah’s prophecy promised something good was coming to these people.  One day they would have light instead of darkness.  This is the place Jesus would start His ministry and fulfill prophecy.  It didn’t matter that they were poor and suffering and filled with anxiety.  Their needs were great, but Jesus, Yeshua, was GREATER!