Matthew 4 - Jesus' Strategy for Overcoming The Devil's Temptations!

Matthew 4 - NIV  (Remember there is an audio version on this link if you want to listen to the chapter!)

Enduring Word Commentary

Verses for the Day

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Commentary

Right after Jesus receives the commendation from His Father, "You are my Son, with whom I am well pleased", he is led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The word for 'tempted" can also mean "tested".  The devil's strategy will be to get Jesus to use his powers before it is time. 

He uses the words, "If you are the Son of God", as he tries to play on Jesus' identity and to try and prove He really is the Son of God.  Because Jesus is secure in His identity as the true Son of God, he isn't biting. Jesus is going to show us in this chapter that he was tempted in every way, just we are tempted in every way. There is no temptation we will go through in this life that Jesus was not subject to, nor one that he will not go through with us.

Importantly Jesus will give us a strategy to overcome any temptation. First of all, Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights, as he prepared for his public ministry. The devil, who is also called "the tempter",  tried to tempt Jesus where was weak. He does the same to us today.  

He tempted him by saying in effect, "Since you are really are hungry Jesus, why don't you use your power to turn these stones into loaves of bread." 

Listen to Jesus' response, which he will use in all three temptations, "It is written man does not live on bread alone, but every word that comes from the mouth of God!" This is a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3, which would have been Jesus' bible growing up. Jesus knew his Old Testament. 

Jesus knew that God's Word is more powerful than the devil's temptation. God's Word is truth, while Satan can only use his worthless lies. Jesus isn't saying eating bread to satisfy his hunger is wrong, but in this scenario the devil is trying to get Jesus to use his power on his terms. Jesus' timing was always in sync with the Father's timing. 

In John's gospel Jesus will say, "I am the bread of life. Whoever eats this bread will never be hungry again." John 6:35  

The devil will tempt his two more times. He took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and tempted him to throw himself off. After all, the angels who catch him and it would be a cool way to show He is the Son of God. 

Jesus answered him once again, "It is written do not put the Lord your God to the test!" Deuteronomy 6:6

Finally, the devil told him he would give him all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would bow down to worship him. Jesus replied, "It is written worship the Lord your God only!" Deuteronomy 6:13  

The passage ends by saying, "The devil left him until an opportune time." The devil will try other strategies to get Jesus to disobey His Father's will, but every one of them will fail! 

Where does the devil like to tempt you? Where are you most vulnerable to being tempted by his lies? 

How can you use Jesus strategy of relying on the truth to combat the devil's lies? 

Does it help realizing that there is no temptation you are doing through that Jesus didn't go through? Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, but did not sin!" Hebrews 4:15

Memory Verse for the Day

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. But God will provide the way of escape so that you will overcome it." 1 Corinthians 10:13  

Prayer for the Day  

Jesus help me to rely on Your and Word when I am tempted. Help me to be aware of the devil's lies so I can remain obedient to you and enjoy the abundant life you have for me!" In Your Name, Amen. 


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