Overcoming Temptations (Luke 4:1-13)

The temptation Jesus faced was real. This was not simply an academic exercise. The reason Jesus is able to give strength and understanding to His children in temptation is because He faced the same temptations (Hebrews 4:15).

An indication of how seriously Jesus viewed this experience is that He fasted for the entire period of the temptation (v. 2). He was making Himself totally dependent upon the Father for all His needs.

Many have used 1 John 2:16 as the key to the temptations that Jesus faced, and perhaps this is a valid way to look at Jesus’ experience. The temptation to turn stone into bread would correspond to “the cravings of sinful man.” The temptation to worship Satan for the kingdoms of the world would be “the lust of [a man’s] eyes.” The temptation to jump from the pinnacle of the temple to prove He was the Son of God and to see angels come to rescue Him would be “the boasting of what [the man] has and does.” Surely each of us is tempted in these areas.

God had given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). When we are tempted, God is faithful not to allow us to be tempted above that we are able; but will make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). These passages cut from under us any excuses about our inability to face a certain temptation. With Jesus having opened the way to victory, that same victory is absolutely available to each Christian. Our temptations are real, but the power of God is stronger!