Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13
This was the day, above all others, when the devil threw everything he had at Jesus. He tried to end Jesus’ ministry even before it began. There are lessons for our hearts in this story.
After fasting forty days and nights in the Judean wilderness, Jesus encountered the devil at his most vulnerable point. The Spirit led Jesus there to be tested.
In the face of temptation from Satan, Jesus demonstrated spiritual strength and scriptural wisdom that we would do well to follow when confronting our own trials.
The first lesson is that all face a war with the Devil.
You and Me and most of all Jesus. If he had to face it, don’t be surprised when Satan comes for you too.
The second lesson is the importance of spiritual preparation for that war.
Before facing the devil, Jesus spent 40 days connecting deeply with God through fasting, solitude and meditation. We too must cultivate our spiritual lives through prayer, enriching our souls with Scripture and serving God above all else. By laying this strong foundation in Him, we equip ourselves for spiritual warfare.
The third lesson lies in how Jesus combatted each of the devil’s lies: by quoting Scripture.
When tempted to turn stones into bread, throw himself down from the temple, and take power for himself, Jesus countered each appeal by invoking God’s Word. Jesus used scripture to decimate the half-truths aimed to turn him from the Father’s purpose. To resist compromise and stand firm in trying times, we too must put God’s Truth onto our hearts.
Finally, Jesus refused any shortcuts. The devil repeatedly urged Jesus to seize quick solutions – to satisfy his hunger, test divine protection, take control. But Jesus saw past these temptations, trusting God’s plan. Like Jesus, we will face that age-old temptation – to grasp for control rather than exercise patience. His example calls us to withstand the test and simply trust God and his timing.
For Jesus – and all who walk with Him there is a spiritual war. When facing his war, Jesus overcame and prepared for ministry by relying on spiritual discipline, Scripture and trust in God. His victory over temptation encourages us to do the same.
Lonnie Davis
Thanks brother! Especially needed this lesson on patience and waiting on God’s timing.
I like the story of the man who prayed, “Lord, give me patience and give it to me now!”
That is me! (sometimes)
Yes, Patience is truly a wonderful virtue.
Yes, but it sometimes very hard!