The 3 Temptations of Jesus and How to Fight Them
The wilderness experience of Jesus Christ, immediately following His baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit, serves as a profound blueprint for every believer's spiritual warfare. Led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, our Lord faced the adversary head-on, demonstrating perfect obedience and providing us with an infallible strategy for victory. These three temptations, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13, are not merely historical events but represent the archetypal forms of temptation that assail humanity. As 1 John 2:16 declares, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Jesus's encounter with Satan perfectly illustrates these three categories, offering us divine wisdom on how to stand firm in our own spiritual battles.
The First Temptation: The Lust of the Flesh (Turning Stones into Bread)
After forty days and forty nights of fasting, Jesus was "an hungred." Satan, ever the opportunist, seized upon this physical need, challenging Jesus's divine identity and urging Him to misuse His power for immediate gratification.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
This temptation was a direct appeal to the flesh, a call to satisfy legitimate hunger in an illegitimate way, outside of God's timing and provision. It represents the "lust of the flesh" – the desire for comfort, pleasure, and provision that seeks to usurp God's sovereignty or bypass His will. Jesus's response was swift and definitive:
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, emphasizing that spiritual sustenance and obedience to God's Word are paramount, even above physical necessities. Our lives are sustained not merely by what we consume, but by our submission to God's every command and promise.
How to Fight the Lust of the Flesh:- Prioritize the Spiritual over the Physical: Recognize that true life and lasting satisfaction come from God's Word and Spirit, not from temporal gratifications.
- Trust God's Provision and Timing: Resist the urge to take shortcuts or manipulate circumstances to meet your needs. Believe that God will provide according to His perfect will and timing.
- Embrace Self-Control and Discipline: Develop habits of spiritual discipline, such as prayer, fasting, and diligent study of the Word, which strengthen your spirit and bring the flesh into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27).
- Live by Every Word of God: Make God's Word the ultimate authority and guide for all decisions, especially concerning your physical desires and needs.
The Second Temptation: The Pride of Life (Jumping from the Temple Pinnacle)
Having failed to tempt Jesus through His physical hunger, Satan then sought to exploit spiritual pride and presumption. He took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple, urging Him to perform a spectacular feat that would garner immediate attention and seemingly prove His divine protection, even quoting scripture to justify the act.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
This temptation targeted the "pride of life" – the desire for recognition, glory, and self-exaltation, often manifested in seeking to test God or presume upon His grace. Satan twisted Psalms 91:11-12, suggesting that Jesus should force God's hand. Jesus, however, recognized the insidious nature of this challenge:
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Again, Jesus countered with scripture, quoting Deuteronomy 6:16. He refused to put God to the test or seek glory through a display of power that was not in line with His Father's will. True faith trusts God without demanding a spectacle or placing Him in a position to prove Himself.
How to Fight the Pride of Life:- Cultivate Humility: Recognize that all abilities and blessings come from God (1 Corinthians 4:7). Seek to glorify God, not yourself.
- Do Not Presume Upon God: Never intentionally put yourself in harm's way or make reckless decisions, expecting God to bail you out. Trust His protection when you are walking in His will, not when you are testing Him.
- Resist the Urge for Public Acclaim: Seek God's approval above human praise. True spiritual maturity is demonstrated in quiet obedience, not in ostentatious displays.
- Rely on God's Timing: Do not attempt to force God's hand or rush His plan. His ways are perfect, and His timing is sovereign.
The Third Temptation: The Lust of the Eyes (Worshiping Satan for Kingdoms)
In his final, most audacious attempt, Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, a shortcut to dominion without the cross, in exchange for worship.
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
This temptation embodies the "lust of the eyes" – the insatiable desire for worldly possessions, power, and status that can lead to idolatry. Satan presented a dazzling vision of earthly dominion, an appealing alternative to the path of suffering and sacrifice that lay before Jesus. However, Jesus unequivocally rejected this offer, asserting God's exclusive right to worship and service:
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13 and Deuteronomy 10:20, reaffirming His unwavering allegiance to God alone. He would not compromise His devotion for any worldly gain, knowing that true dominion comes through obedience to the Father, even if it means suffering.
How to Fight the Lust of the Eyes:- Maintain Exclusive Loyalty to God: Understand that God alone is worthy of your worship and service. Do not allow any worldly allurements to compete for your supreme devotion.
- Set Your Affections on Things Above: Actively pursue spiritual treasures and eternal rewards rather than accumulating earthly possessions or power (Colossians 3:2).
- Practice Spiritual Discernment: Be vigilant in recognizing the deceptive nature of worldly promises. Satan often offers attractive alternatives that lead away from God's perfect will.
- Cultivate Contentment: Learn to be content with what God provides, rather than constantly striving for more, which can lead to covetousness and idolatry (Hebrews 13:5).
Lessons from Jesus's Victory and Our Strategy
Jesus's triumph over temptation offers timeless lessons for every believer:
- The Power of the Word of God: In every instance, Jesus responded with "It is written." The Word of God is our offensive weapon, the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17). Hiding God's Word in our hearts equips us to counter Satan's lies and temptations (Psalms 119:11).
- Reliance on the Holy Spirit: Jesus was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness (Luke 4:1). It is by the power of the Spirit that we are enabled to overcome sin and temptation (Galatians 5:16).
- Understanding Satan's Tactics: The devil is cunning. He attacks our weaknesses (hunger), our pride (seeking glory), and our desires (worldly power). He even twists scripture. Being aware of his strategies helps us to stand firm (2 Corinthians 2:11).
- The Importance of Prayer and Fasting: While not explicitly mentioned during the temptation, Jesus's 40-day fast prepared Him for the encounter. These disciplines strengthen our spiritual man and sharpen our discernment.
- God's Faithfulness: Just as angels ministered to Jesus after the temptations (Matthew 4:11), God is faithful to us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Conclusion
Jesus Christ, our perfect example and High Priest, fully experienced temptation yet remained without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His victory in the wilderness is not just a historical account but a living testimony to the power available to every believer. By understanding the three primary categories of temptation – the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the lust of the eyes – and by applying Jesus's strategy of relying on the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and unwavering allegiance to the Father, we too can overcome. Let us therefore draw near to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16), walking in the victory Christ has already secured for us.