When it comes to the topic of the Christian and their struggle with temptation, preaching should not only tell us the “what” and “why” — but it should also give us the “hows” to stand up against it. Because we all have the same questions, such as what are some practical steps we can take as believers to soar over temptation and stand victorious as our Lord did in Matthew 4 and Luke 4? And when we study the account of Satan’s attempt to get Jesus to sin and how He responded to the enemy’s trickery, we should be encouraged to follow His lead like a dependent child.
Notice what Jesus did to ward off Satan’s schemes.
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:4)
Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'” (Matthew 4:7)
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'” (Matthew 4:10)
Notice anything that ties these three defenses together? Or do you notice anything you could place in your arsenal to combat the evil one on the day of temptation?
Three Keys to Victory Over Temptation
From the life of Jesus, what can we learn?
One, every temptation follows the same pattern that is revealed to us in 1 John 2:16, which reads:
For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.
Two, there is no temptation that only you have experienced. Satan is not original, but he’s very good at what he does. But not to worry, there is always a way out.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
And three, if you want to discover the three keys from the life of Jesus that will help you get victory over your temptations, you’ll have to keep listening.
