Girls Bible Study

The girls are studying the "Temptations of Christ" in Emma's group this morning.  I had an interesting conversation with her this morning as I tried to break it down for her.

She had read through the scripture and even memorized the conversation between Satan and Jesus, but didn't really know how to go any deeper that it seemed.  I figure that happens for many of us.

First, being presented with temptation is NOT a sin.  We know this because Jesus was the only sinless human to have lived.  The "temptation" is the offer to sin, an opportunity to do something outside of God's will.  We are not [always] in control of the temptations we face.  However, we are in control of our response.

Since Jesus was in the desert without food for 40 days, it seems logical that Satan would first present Jesus with a food -based temptation.  We are so weak and vulnerable when our physical state is depleted, be it hunger, fatigue, loneliness.  Here Satan puts food as a reward for the ACTUAL sin, which is pride.  He challenges Jesus to prove who he is! 

Often when our position or character is challenged, we feel the need to defend ourselves, to prove we are who we say we are.  Often rooted in pride.  We should not need to go to extreme lengths to prove our character – our lives should speak for us, the truth should be evident.  Specifically in the case here, it was not God’s assigned time for Jesus to make that declaration, so it would definitely have been outside the will of God.

The comeback?  Jesus quotes scripture at Satan.  Notice that Satan does not argue it with Jesus.  He knows the Word of God as well as any of us, in fact probably better!  That’s how he can twist scripture to lead us into sin, because we don’t know it well enough to spot the deception.

Next, Satan sticks with the pride angle, “If you are the Son of God” – clearly it’s one of his favorite tactics, probably because pride is the root of his own fall.  We are so susceptible to pride.  Here, he challenges Jesus to do something foolish and force God’s hand to rescue him.  We can all be tempted to do that!  “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission!”  We make choices with dire consequences believing “God’s grace” will save the day. 

Rightly, Jesus, using scripture again, reminds Satan that we are not to put God to the test.  He is not a genie, he is God Almighty, and should be treated with honor and reverence.

Finally, recognizing that Jesus’s humility is above his pride temptations, Satan opts for a deceptive temptation.  He shows him the world, acknowledging that he, Satan, has dominion over it, and offers to give it all to Jesus, if he will bow down to him.

We are often tempted to take the easy route to accomplish our goals of success.  Jesus came to save the world, from Satan, so at first glance this offer might seem like a quick fix that would avoid the whole crucifixion/betrayal pain.  However, the promises of the world are deceptive, because when we pursue them we are agreeing to serve Satan. 

Jesus knows that God has a plan that is perfect, and although it involves him suffering, it is the only way to save us.  Jesus willingly submits to God’s arduous plan over the “easy” plan offered by Satan.  And again he relies on scripture for making the decision, reminding Satan that He should only worship the Lord God, as should we!

Possibly one of the most crucial things to take away from this passage of scripture is that Jesus knows how you feel when tempted, he knows what it is to be physically weak and emotionally spent.  But he knows what it is to overcome, and he knows what we need to overcome.

God is not a far-off, hands-off, buzz-off God!  He wants to show us who he is, and how to live in relationship with him.  Jesus embodies it all, and calls us to follow him, not the crowd.