Advent Season is a fall season and a celebration of the birth of Jesus. This year, Advent, begins December 1st (the fourth Sunday before Christmas) and continues through December 24, 2024. The month of December, my blog posts, will be dedicated to all things Jesus.
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Matthew 4:1-2 NIV
If we believe in God, then we should believe in satan. This world has both examples of good and of evil. In this passage, we are Jesus. This is not believing we are a deity. This is the belief that God came in human form to the earth to be an example for us to follow.
The temptation to go against Godly principles is especially hard when we are in scarcity and feeling tired, weak, fearful, lonely, hungry, and/or insecure. Basically, when we are in lack.
Look at the temptation. Jesus had not had anything to eat in forty days! He is starving when along comes temptation. What is satan using? His identity in God, which is what we think of ourselves. It is satan using the place that Jesus can be most harmed against Him. It is a temptation to do harm because our identity is being threatened.
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:4 NIV
Jesus answered with a Word from God. He quoted scripture. We have to know the Word of God for ourselves. The Bible is meant to come alive in the season and time of life you need it in. We are meant to get what we need from the Bible. The Biblical stories are meant to come alive in the way we need it. We get this by spending time reading and interpreting the Bible for ourselves.
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest points of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written:
“He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” ”
Matthew 4:5-6 NIV
What did the devil do next? He tempted Jesus with power and status. He quoted scripture to justify it all. He used Jesus’ belief system against Him. The temptation to do evil for selfish gain is a profound human struggle. The ability to justify it is also a part of the human condition. We will always be able to explain and reason our deeds. But it will never make it a good thing.
“Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Matthew 4:7 NIV
There is temptation do evil. And it came in a way that threatens our identity and offers us power and control. Jesus answered by quoting scripture. We counter temptation by leaning on the Word of God and following Jesus’ example.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
We have to recognize the temptation and know that we are not alone. We all will be tempted to do evil to secure the things we need. We have something the world doesn’t have, though. We have God and He doesn’t let us be tempted beyond our ability to choose what is right and to follow Biblical principles.
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘If you will bow down and worship me.’ ”
Matthew 4:8 NIV
Satan’s temptation this time were things, he doesn’t even possess the power to give. We believe this world is under God’s control. The temptation for power and control is so enticing.
“For God does not show favoritism.”
Romans 2:11 NIV
Our lot in life comes from God. God does not show favoritism. He wants us to develop our Spiritual gifts and walk in purpose. He gives us all different gifts, but none are more important than the other.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV
He gifts us with strengths that are varied. So that the “body of Christ,” which is the church may come to faith, get to know God, and become mature Christians through Him.
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Genesis 2:15 NIV
He gives us different gifts. So, that the problems of the world (The Garden of Eden) are taken care of.
“Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen
1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV
He gifts us for his glory and honor. However, we see that God has expectations for the way we use our gifts. We are expected to use our gifts to the best of our ability; to use our gifts to the best of our ability, is to walk in courage, bravery, and humility.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended to him.”
Matthew 4:10-11 NIV
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7 NIV
Satan can tempt and influence us. This represents the culture will live in; it will have good and bad influences and the temptation to do evil. However, we are given the power to resist temptation by following and aligning ourselves with God and His Biblical principles.
