Temptations Got You Down?

Temptations are real. We all struggle with them every day. But I wonder, why some people give in more quickly than others. Then there is Jesus. After 40 days of fasting, He still did not give into the temptation to make a rock into bread. Why? He did not give into the temptation for power over all nations. Why? He did not give into the temptation to jump from a high place and prove He was special. Why?

I have studied those temptations may times and from many angles. Today, I saw something different as I was reading the passage in Luke 4. I was hearing John 13:3-5 playing in the background of my mind. “Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him.” (NLT)

As I read through the temptations one at a time, I began to understand more why Jesus was victorious over these temptations. The devil started the temptations with three words, “If you are….” And I begin to wonder, do all temptations begin there? At the core of every temptation is the question, “Who am I?”

First, Jesus was tempted to prove He was the Son of God by doing the miracle of turning the stone into bread. But Jesus knew that He was the ‘bread of life’ that came into the world to provide a way for us to repent and be saved. He did not need to make a stone into bread – did not need to prove anything. He knew who He was!

Second, Jesus was tempted to bow down and worship the devil in order to have authority over all the kingdoms of earth. But Jesus knew that He already had that authority not only over all kingdoms but over all creation. He knew that the devil’s days were numbered, and that true authority comes from God, not from the devil. He did not need a shortcut to be honored as king. He was the Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

Third, Jesus was tempted to jump from a high place to prove that God would rescue Him. But Jesus knew that He could call on God and 12 legions of angels would rescue Him. (Matthew 26:53) He did not need to prove anything to the devil. He did not need to test God’s ability to save Him. He came into the world to save us!

So how does that help me overcome temptations? Because I have repented of my sins and accepted Jesus as Lord of my life, I have a new identity in Him. I am His child. My Father is King of the universe! I can have confidence that He will provide for me. I don’t need to steal or connive to get things. I can even be generous with what He has already given me because I know He will provide all I need. I don’t need to try to gain power over others because He is Lord of my life and as I humble myself before Him and before others, He will put me in places of honor in His kingdom. I can even encourage others as I have been encouraged by Him to grow into my role as a child of the King. And I don’t need to constantly test Him to see if He is there. He will rescue me when I need to be rescued. I can trust Him to be there for me. And when I am done on this earth, I know where I am going – to an eternal home with my Father!

If I walk in that identity, temptations will not overtake me. It is when I forget who I am that I am most vulnerable.

Father, thank you for providing a way out for me when I am tempted. Thank you for saving me and for your promises that guide me as I put my trust in you. Help me to continue to grow into my position as your child so that I can become all that you call me to be without fear. You are awesome and I love you. Amen.