Jesus' Temptation by satan

Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, a classic account from Jesus’ life when satan attempted to convince Jesus to sin (temptation). Although satan tempted Jesus continuously, Jesus would not give in and be tempted successfully. This temptation came after Jesus had just finished fasting for 40 days and nights in the Judaean Desert. Reportedly in the Bible, Jesus was tempted in every way that man was; however, Jesus successfully resisted the devil, which caused satan to flee from Him – and afterward, angels came and ministered to the Son of God.

Let’s read the account of it in Matthew 4:1-11, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 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. 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. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 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. 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. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”

(There is no need to read the additional account in Luke 4:1-13; however, you may read it in your own time if you would like to compare the two narrative accounts on Jesus’ Temptation.)

What were the temptations:

Physical – Lust of the flesh – Turning stone to bread Spiritual – Pride of life – Leaping from the Temple Psychological – Lust of power – Desiring the glory of the kingdoms of the world

What do we learn from this then? We learn that satan attempts to take advantage of our circumstances, satan’s temptations are often the strongest immediately after being favored, and satan’s ideas are plausible in that they seem good, but are not actually.

Jesus shows us how to counter the temptations and endure in steadfastness, and give us the ideal guide – The Word – for use in our everyday lives.