Imitate JESUS - Resist Temptation

We live with temptation every day and how we respond to it will impact the course of our lives, for good or evil. While giving in is solely our choice, the consequences can have far reaching effects for others.

A perfect example of temptation to sin’s far-reaching consequences.

When our first father Adam gave in to Eve’s influence and Satan’s lies in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) all succeeding generations “fell” prey to the same sin default line and all suffered the same devastating consequences. The world as a whole lost intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father.

By His grace, GOD chose to repair the breach between Himself and humanity later in history. He sent us a second Adam, Christ JESUS, to atone for the sin of the world and reopen the Way back to the Father.

Humanity is destined to a life of continuing sin and ultimately, separation from GOD, unless we accept the Father’s gift of grace and become His new creations in CHRIST.

We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead. James 1:14-15

Scripture tells us temptation is a product of – the desire of the eye (greedy craving for what others have that we think we deserve); the pride of life (the desire to look good in the eyes of others, achieve status, to impress); and the lust (or desire) of the flesh. (1 John 2:15-16.)

These are the three lures that Satan used to entice Eve in the Garden of Eden and with JESUS in the desert (or wilderness.) Only each had totally opposite responses and consequences.

The temptation in Eden

“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it (the forbidden fruit), and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Satan very successfully planted doubt in Eve’s mind by suggesting that GOD had hidden motives for telling her not to eat of the one tree in the middle of the Garden (“It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat.”). He convinces Eve that GOD was the deceiver when He said “you will die” if she ate the fruit. Satan declares “You won’t die!”

Satan was the real deceiver; he caused Eve to accept a false truth. That GOD was withholding from her what she deserved – good tasting food, beauty, and equality with GOD, wisdom to know good and evil.

All Eve had to do was recklessly disobey GOD, which she did with disastrous consequences for all of us.

The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty. She wanted the wisdom that it would give her, and she ate some of the fruit. Genesis 3:6

Satan’s web of lies worked with Eve to awake her carnal desires:

1. Desire of the eyes – the tree was beautiful.
2. Desire of the flesh – the fruit was tasty. Satisfying our carnal appetites
3. Pride of life – wisdom that will make her equal to GOD. Gaining status and power

…and the Fall of all mankind was the outcome.

The temptation in the desert

Then the devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s Son, tell these stones to turn into bread.” Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say…: Matthew 4: 3-4

The Holy Spirit led JESUS into the desert so that Satan, the devil, could test Him. This took place over a period of forty days. During that time JESUS was fasting (Matthew 4:1-11.)

1. First the devil uses JESUS’ extreme hunger to appeal to the desire of the flesh. He tells JESUS to turn the stones into bread and eat, if He is the SON of GOD. JESUS’ response? ““The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that GOD has spoken.’” (Matthew 4:4)
2. Next the devil urges JESUS to jump off the highest point of the Jerusalem temple so observers below could witness the angels swoop down to catch Him and bear Him gently to the ground. Imagine how such an event would make JESUS the center of everyone’s attention and get everyone to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. A form of desire of the eyes – doing anything to be exalted in the eyes of people, seeking the approval of others. JESUS’ response? “The Scriptures also say, ‘Don’t try to test the Lord your God!’” (Matthew 4:7)
3. Finally, the devil tempts JESUS to worship him in exchange for political power and status – the pride of life. The devil promises to make JESUS ruler of all the kingdoms on earth if He will bow to him. JESUS again responds with the Scriptures – the Word of GOD and He dismisses Satan: “Go away Satan! The Scriptures say: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” (Matthew 4:10)

Satan’s deception failed with JESUS. Why? JESUS had faith in the power and truth of GOD’s Word. 

The outcome from faith and belief was a successful ministry for JESUS and, ultimately, the salvation of the world. By His resistance to Satan’s evil designs, JESUS fulfilled His ministry and mended what Adam and Eve broke.

Anyone wanting a relationship with the Father, it is theirs for the taking.

GOD has given us everything we need to experience intimacy with Him.

While Satan can entice a child of GOD with his lies, He cannot outwit us and make us do anything we don’t want to do. JESUS proved that. 

As new creations in CHRIST our first and foremost desire should be to follow His lead, to become more like Him. 

"Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else”. ~ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity~

Scripture tells us to “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11-14. GOD’s armor includes the sword of the Holy Spirit which destroys the devil’s lies – this is the Word of GOD.

The Word worked for JESUS in the desert and it will work for us today; but only if we know it as well as JESUS did.

Studying the Word will make us mature Christians with Christ-like desires that generate Christ-like decisions.

JESUS CHRIST was tempted in every way that we are. But He did not sin! (Hebrews 4:15.) We don’t have to sin either! Not if we follow CHRIST’s lead and fully surrender to His and the Father’s life principles.

If we do, the devil will leave us alone. (James 4:7)

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and Righteous Father, thank You for JESUS our Teacher, Savior and LORD, who was tempted in every way that we are today, but never sinned against You! Thank You that He now lives to show us the way by Your Word and His Spirit and to intercede for us when we fail. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile