Power over Satan’s temptations
Key Verses: 1, 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 19, 23
Led by the Spirit into temptation: try to use this excuse next time you are tempted! It would probably be OK, if you resisted like Jesus did. All too often we don’t see temptation as an opportunity to be tested, to be proved, an opportunity to come out on the other side a better, stronger Jesus-follower. If we resisted, we would be more reliant on God’s strength in those moments: a good thing. But when we give in, we rely on our own strength, thus we fail. Jesus goes into this testing process and passes with flying colors. He uses the Word of God to defend and attack.
I find it interesting that temptation often takes the form of a question, a question about what God said about a specific circumstance. Satan tempts Jesus to doubt his identity as the Messiah, God in the flesh. Our temptations will often try to cause us to doubt who we are as a new creature in Christ Jesus. Temptation often plays back to an old tape, one that has played for years prior to Christ. If we listen carefully to the tape, we can counter its message with the Word of God, thus nullifying the power of the old message. But we must recognize the question Satan is presenting, the challenge he is making to our new position, our new identity.
When we resist, we open ourselves up to the strengthening power of God. After Jesus resisted the three temptations, God sent angels to minister to Him. I don’t know if angels will show up in our lives, but we are promised the Holy Spirit’s presence and strength when we need it. God will provide the strength, if we will but resist. No matter how powerful the pull of temptation, God’s power is greater. No matter how weak we become, if we will just resist, God’s strengthening will be present. Our weakness gives opportunity for God’s strength.
Jesus didn’t always run toward opposition. When he hears about John’s imprisonment, he goes in the opposite direction. He picks up John’s message of repentance. Some of the things Jesus said during His ministry were said by other people, but what made Jesus different was the power that accompanied His message. He spoke about life and he raised the dead. He spoke about the need for restoration in our relationship with God and He brought restoration. Hunger brought food, sickness brought healing, and sorrow brought comfort. At every point of need Jesus brought God’s presence in miraculous ways. He was more than fine sounding words: He was God in action for the world to see.
The Arnold Journey 