God’s Response to Temptation

 God revealed to us how He would face temptation through Jesus Christ. Scripture records that Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). This was not by accident but by design—so that we might learn how to respond when temptation comes.

1. Hunger and the Primal Urge

The first test Jesus faced was hunger. Hunger drives us to do desperate things, stirring our primal nature. Self-preservation often pushes us to abandon ethics and morality just to satisfy the body. And once the appetite is gratified, morality usually resurfaces, but often too late, after damage has already been done.

In that moment of weakness, Jesus addressed the primal nature within every man by declaring: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3). True survival is not found in abandoning God for the sake of bread; rather, it is found in sticking to His instructions and receiving comforts and bread as the fruit of our obedience and His love and grace. That is what distinguishes us from wild beasts.

2. Assurance and Testing God

The second temptation was about assurance. The devil said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you…’” (Matthew 4:6).

This echoes what men often say: “If you are a Christian, prove it. Do this or do that.”

  • “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:40-43)

  • The old prophet misleading the young prophet in 1 Kings 13:18-28: “I too am a prophet… come back with me and eat.”

  • Jesus’ brethren urging Him in John 7:3-4: “Show yourself to the world.”

Do you hear the echo in your everyday life? “If you claim to be God’s child, why hasn’t this or that happened yet?” The pressure is always to put yourself in a precarious position so that God might prove Himself.

But Jesus’ answer was clear: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7, Deuteronomy 6:16). We are not called to walk into danger merely to prove a point. If God leads us into the valley of death, He will surely bring us out. But we must not presume upon His protection in contests He has not ordained. Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal only on God’s instruction (1 Kings 18:36–39), yet at another time he fled and hid (1 Kings 19:3–4). Likewise, the Apostles sometimes faced danger boldly and at other times fled, always discerning God’s prompting (Acts 9:23–25, Acts 12:6–11).

3. Worship and Allegiance

The final temptation was about worship. The devil offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down (Matthew 4:8-9). The world still makes the same offer: riches, comfort, and influence, if only we will bow to the systems that govern it.

When created things become our ultimate pursuit, when we exalt wealth, status, or even comfort above the Creator, we risk making God a means to an end rather than the End Himself. To worship created things above the Creator is to bow to the one who seeks to usurp God’s authority.

But Jesus’ response shows the way: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’” (Matthew 4:10, Deuteronomy 6:13).

Conclusion

Temptation comes to all, but God has shown us how to face it through Christ:

  • Trust God above the urges of the flesh.

  • Refuse to test God in presumptuous ways.

  • Worship and serve God alone.

This is God’s attitude toward temptation, and it is the model for ours.

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