What did Jesus do about temptation?
Today’s question is ‘What did Jesus do about temptation? If an advert on the television is to be believed then temptation truly comes in the form of cakes or chocolate in the fridge; but of course temptation comes in many shapes and sizes, such as the story of Martin. Martin woke up one Monday morning particularly tempted to stay at home because he was feeling quite sick, fed up and nervous about going off to school and so he told his mother about it. She was having none of it.
“But Mum,” said Martin. “I hate school. Lots of people can’t stand me. Most of the children call me names. Most of the teachers can’t stand the sight of me. I can’t concentrate on anything. No one wants to sit near me at lunch time, people walk off if they see me coming, and there have even been graffiti drawings about me. Mum, I am not going to school anymore.”
“But Martin, you have to, you’re the Head Teacher.”
Martin was sorely tempted to lie and to avoid his responsibilities, and he was giving in to the temptation. He was removing the chocolate from its wrapper, and falling into sin.
Let’s be clear. Temptation is not sin. So if temptation is not sin, then what is it? Temptation is ‘pressure to give in to influences that lead away from God and into sin’ (NIV Thematic Study Bible). Temptation is a doorway and then a bridge into sin if we cross it.
One New Testament writer tells us that Jesus ‘was tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin’ (Hebrews 4: 15). Jesus faced every type of temptation, every urge to do wrong, every pressure to think of number one, every inclination to sin, and every form of temptation that we do – yet he never did wrong. Jesus lived life God’s way, He died God’s way, and He was resurrected to eternal life God’s way. Tempted in every way, as we are, yet was without sin!
Today’s episode from the life of Jesus takes place very quickly after his baptism in the river Jordan (3:13) aged about 30. As Jesus went up out of the water he saw ‘the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him; and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased”’ (3:16-17). God was well pleased - well happy - with Jesus; and it was very soon after this that God’s Spirit led Jesus into the desert where He was tempted by the devil (4:1). Note that Jesus was tempted shortly after a spiritual high, having heard the voice of God. Jesus was perfect yet he was in no way immune to temptation. It was at the end of forty days of prayer that Jesus was tempted. It was while he was hungry he was tempted, and it was just before he began to preach that Jesus was tempted; so don’t be surprised when we get tempted at all sorts of times!
But what did Jesus do when confronted with temptation, and how does that help us?
Jesus was hungry. ‘The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread”’ (4:3). The ‘tempter’, sometimes referred to as the devil, or Satan, or the accuser, suggests that Jesus should use his power to satisfy his basic need for food; and of course he could have done it! Months later Jesus would feed 5000 men plus women and children by multiplying 5 loaves and 2 fish (14:13-21) but he refused to give in to the tempting idea that he could use and abuse his authority and the power given him by God.
Some of us get tempted to abuse the authority given to us, or the position we have, or the influence we have, and to use it for personal gain. Some Christian television evangelists suggest that if we do certain things, pray certain prayers, and live a certain way, God will unreservedly answer all of our prayers with a “Yes”; but that is very presumptuous. We cannot and must not tell God what to do. Jesus didn’t.
Jesus refuted the temptation by using the Hebrew Bible – our Old Testament. He knew it very, very well, and a major ingredient in the relationship of Jesus the Son with God the Father was Jesus’ knowledge and use of scripture. When tempted to tell stones to become bread, ‘Jesus answered, “It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”’ (4:4) - quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. He knew and loved scripture.
But the devil wasn’t done with Jesus, and he next used a tactic which is quite tempting for us sometimes, especially for Vicars and preachers! The devil misused a piece of the Bible to try to get Jesus to see things differently. The devil twisted scripture and tempted Jesus to throw himself from the highest point of the Temple. “For it is written,” said the devil (4:6), copying Jesus, and proceeding to quote from Psalm 91, suggesting that angels would save Jesus; but Jesus stands firm and uses scripture wisely again.
Jesus answered, “It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (4:7), quoting Deuteronomy 6:16. He knew that the Bible was being misused in another attempt to get him to click his fingers, expecting God to rescue him from a frivolous bungee jump from the Temple - without any elastic!
Let’s not get into games of Bible tennis by hitting each other with Bible quotations out of context, but let’s use it reverently for what it is: God’s revealed word.
Finally the devil offered Jesus a shortcut, and I guess we all get tempted to cut corners to get what we want or get what we think we need. The devil offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world with one condition. He said to Jesus, “Bow down and worship me” (4:8-9). He was offering a quick fix - a kingdom without the suffering of the cross; but Jesus was clear: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (4:10) – quoting scripture again. This time Deuteronomy 6:13.
Having considered what Jesus did about temptation, what can we do about temptation?
What follows is not a formula, but it is an aide-memoir. I am not about to give you a key or a 4 digit PIN number to lock down your life and to avoid temptation! But I am going to suggest three things we can do – with our eyes fixed upon God – to avoid the trap of moving from temptation into sin.
What can we do?
1. Acknowledge the temptation before God:
If we’re constantly struggling and perhaps failing with a particular temptation, I believe we need to acknowledge it before God; because when we are honest with God that helps us to be honest with ourselves, and with others. Remember that temptation is ‘pressure to give in to influences that lead away from God and into sin’. Acknowledge it. Recognise it and talk to God about it.
Part of acknowledging temptation is the knowledge that there are times when we need to do something costly but biblical about it. James, the brother of Jesus, wrote this: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). It is the church equivalent of ’phone a friend’! When we have allowed temptation to turn into sin, or when the power of temptation feels overwhelming, bringing it before God with a friend is powerful. It is biblical and helps make us accountable. So, acknowledge the temptation before God.
2. Believe what God says:
It is important to recognise and believe what God says about temptation and about the ultimate result when we allow ourselves to be taken over by it. James, the brother of Jesus, also wrote this: ’when tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me” (James 1:13).
For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone, but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and soon, when it is full grown, gives birth to death’ (James 1:13 to 15).
As St Paul wrote, ’the wages of sin is death’; but let’s not end the quote there! Paul wrote to the Roman Church ’the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 6:23)!
Jesus was tempted to avoid the cross. Thank God he did not! Please believe the good news of Jesus Christ who took all of our sin upon himself on the cross, so that when we confess our sins God is faithful and just, and God forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). There is no sin, no misdemeanour, and no regret from yesterday or from years ago that is too big for God. He will forgive.
Acknowledge temptation before God, and believe what God says about temptation, sin and forgiveness.
3. Confront the temptation with God’s help:
God always provides a way out. We sometimes kid ourselves and we make excuses, such as “I couldn’t help myself”, but God always provides a way out, a door through which to escape so that the temptation will not overwhelm us (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Whereas temptation is a bridge to sin if we cross it, Jesus is the bridge to God. That is why the writer to the Hebrews tells us that “because [Jesus] himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18); and he also tells us where to find help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16): “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Acknowledge it, believe what God says; confront it.
In the first book of the Bible (Genesis) the devil appears as a snake. The US Peace Corps train their workers to deal with any kind of eventuality they might meet in the field, and since they work in the jungles of South America, it’s quite possible that they might encounter an Anaconda, the largest snake in the world. A full grown Anaconda is not just a snake. It is a telegraph pole with a temper! It takes 10 men to carry one -- if it is in a good mood. Here are the instructions in one of the Peace Corps’s manuals, posted on the Internet:
1: If you are attacked by an Anaconda, do not run. The snake is faster than you are. Don’t try to outrun it.
2: Lie flat on the ground. Put your arms tight against your sides and your legs tight against one another.
3: Tuck in your chin.
4: The snake will come and begin to nudge and will climb about your body.
5: Do not panic.
6: After the snake has examined you, it will begin to swallow you from the feet, always the feet. Permit the snake to swallow your feet and ankles. Do not panic.
7: The snake will begin to suck your legs into its body. You must lie perfectly still. This will take a long time.
8: When the snake has reached your knees, slowly and with as little movement as possible reach down, take your knife and very gently slide it into the side of the snake’s mouth, between the edge of its mouth and your leg. Then suddenly rip upwards, severing the snake through the top of the head.
9: Be sure you have your knife.
10: Be sure your knife is sharp.
Of course, if you get to number nine, or even ten, and find you’ve forgotten your knife, or that it’s blunt, the rest doesn’t really matter! (With thanks to Simon Coupland for this illustration from his book ’Spicing up your speaking’)
We need to be sharp and alert to avoid the dangers of temptation. It is our enemy. So let’s acknowledge it, believe what God says about it, and confront it with God, because He always provides us with a way out. Thank God!
