“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”
Matthew 4:10-11 NLT

“No matter how hard I try, I simply can’t resist (fill in the blank)!” We’re all tempted at some point in life. But, are we really powerless to resist temptation? Perhaps you think, we’re only human; only God can resist temptation, and He’s never tempted because He’s God. And how’s He going to help anyway? He’s not the one facing the temptations that I am. How can He possible understand? Read today’s Dose verses.

Jesus was tempted in His human form. We read in Matthew 4:1, “…Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”  Jesus understands when we are tempted in our place of “wilderness” because he was tempted in just such a place for forty days and nights. This was no fleeting temptation either– it was a long time.

Jesus fasted during His time in the wilderness and became really hungry. The devil tried to get Jesus to turn some stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. But Jesus told him no. “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”. Matthew 4:4, NLT Jesus understands very well the physical desires, which tempt us.

Following that failed try, the devil tempted Jesus to show off His power, enticing Him to jump from a high place and instruct angels to protect Him from harm. Jesus told him “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God’”. Matthew 4:7 NLT Jesus understands our temptation to impress others with our power, status and achievements.

Finally, the devil offered Jesus the entire world if He would only kneel and worship him. The final response that Jesus gave the devil during these temptations was to go away from Him and the devil did just that. Then, angels came and met Jesus’ needs. Jesus understands our temptation for significance and possessions.

God clearly understands our temptations; He resisted every form of human temptation without fail!

The devil and his angels will try to tempt us in our most vulnerable areas when we pursue Christ. He’ll misquote God’s words. Don’t be surprised by it. Be encouraged that Jesus showed us how to resist temptation. It’s by properly applying the word of God and humility! They make the devil go away!

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NLT

By grace through faith,

Rita