I was meditating today on Matthew 4:1-11 when Jesus went to the desert to fast and pray for forty days. At the very end, on the fortieth day, when Jesus was hungry, exhausted, and the most vulnerable is when Satan showed up to tempt him. Part of Jesus’ mission on earth was precisely to become human and live a life as human as possible so that’s why he went to the wilderness. Imagine the monumental temptation to convert the rocks into bread right there and then. We experience terrible hunger after only one or two days of fasting. We are weak! The hunger after forty days must be unbearable. But Jesus abstained from using his power. He quoted the Bible to Satan and told him “It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then Satan tempted him with power when he asked Jesus to throw himself off the cliff and have angels rescue him. Then Jesus responded by saying, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Lastly, Satan tempted Jesus a third time when he asked Jesus to worship him and then he would give Jesus all the worldly possessions and power. And Jesus rebuked Satan yet once more and said, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
As I shared in previous blogs, I’m doing an in-depth study of the Bible using the Life Application Study Bible. In the explanation of these verses, the study Bible says that “The devil often temps us when we are vulnerable—when we are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty” (p. 1533). Isn’t this absolutely true in your life? It is in mine. It is in those times when I feel the most vulnerable that Satan always tempts me with negative thoughts of defeat, doubt, and fear. But the Bible also says that we must not feel dirty when confronted with temptation because that is not a sin. “We sin when we give in and disobey God.”
In the same manner, in the good times, when everything is going well, Satan shows up too. This time he temps us with other things—possessions, power, and pride. When everything seems to be going great in our lives, there are no illnesses, the job is going good, relationships are awesome, and when we feel we’re on top of the world—that is the perfect opportunity for Satan to tempt us. Without knowing, we are as vulnerable during these times as we are when we are at the bottom of the pit. The Study Bible says that “he also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride” (p. 1533). The Study Bible summarizes it in three key areas that the devil tempts us: 1) physical needs and desires, 2) possessions and power, and 3) pride.
When we are tempted in any of these areas—whether we are vulnerable because we are at the bottom or at the top—we must seek God with all our hearts and drive our strength to resist temptation from Him. Knowing the Word of God well and where these powerful verses are in the Bible is a huge weapon against the enemy of our soul. The Word of God is like a sword and we must use it to destroy the enemy. But we must practice and learn how to use it well so in those vulnerable moments we are ready to fight—and win!
There is nothing wrong with having physical desires (we are human) or being successful in business, which can include having possessions and power. It’s a matter of the heart. We need to remain humble in the bad times and in the good times. In the bad times, it’s easier to recognize the need for God in our lives but still some people refuse to run to God and don’t give him a chance to help them. In the good times, it’s easy to feel as if we don’t need God because money and power can buy anything we need in the world—except true happiness and eternal life. By recognizing that it is God who gives us the power to create wealth to begin with and knowing that He gave us all the talents we possess, we stay humble. Also by having a thankful heart and attitude we keep our hearts free of pride and close to God. Lastly, by giving out of our abundance and also when in need, our hearts remain humble. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
I hope today’s blog encourages you to not give up believing in God if you are going through difficult times in your life. I also hope that this blog inspires you to stay close to God during times of prosperity as you remember that this world can take everything away in a split second. God is our eternal source of strength. I will end with what the Study Bible says, “When temptations seem especially strong, or when you think you can rationalize giving in, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God’s purposes for your life or for someone else’s life.” Be strong in the Lord and resist temptation!