Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights of fasting and prayer.
He was confronted by the tempter himself. It was an important task that Jesus had to complete for the redemption of humanity.
Matthew 4:1-11
Modern English Version
The Temptation of Jesus
4 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. 2 And He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, and then He was hungry. 3 And the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be turned into bread.”
4 But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
When Jesus was tempted, his immediate response was to respond with the the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 calls the word of God the ”sword of the Spirit”.
The best way to overcome a lie is by the truth.
In John 17:17 Jesus was talking about his Heavenly Father when he said: “your word is truth”.
God’s word is truth and it overcomes temptations lies.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (MEV): 13 *No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, and He will not permit you to be tempted above what you can endure, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness he continued to resist Satan at every turn. God also provides us with a way of escape. Are we actively looking for God’s provision for escape?
James 4:7 said: 7 Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
If you are tempted to lie that doesn’t make you a liar. Just because you’re tempted to steal that doesn’t make you a thief. If you are tempted to have sex that doesn’t make you a fornicator. It doesn’t matter what it is. You are not identified by your temptation. Temptation doesn’t define you, it can be overcome. Satan has stolen many young people by making them a prisoner of their own harts and minds. The same goes for adults who have not matured in the faith.
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