The Wilderness of Temptation

Luke 4:1-13   
“Jesus is tempted in the wilderness”

Another part of the Christian Code: 

The Lord downloaded me on Sunday another part of the code.  Pastor was preaching a great sermon and he mentioned Jesus being tempted in the wilderness.  He mentioned the fact that Jesus used the Word of God against the temptation of the devil. 

Most of us already understand this and maybe even practice this.  First, let’s be clear.  The Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness.  He did not wander there, he did not go on a self finding road trip or emotional sabbatical that led him to the wilderness.  No, he was led by the Spirit there.  Some of you need to understand that He is with you no matter where you are being led. 

Ok, now for the first part of the temptation.  The Bible says that Jesus was hungry at the end of the forty days.  Interestingly enough, Satan comes to him and says in verse 3, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”  Jesus turned and said, “I am not hungry! I am not hungry. I am not hungry!”  No he did not say that. He did not speak what his flesh was feeling at the time. He spoke the Word of God in the middle of the temptation.  It is written, “Man shall not live on bread alone.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)   

Next, Satan led him to a high mountain and showed him all the nations of the earth and said that he could give him all this if he worshiped him.  Jesus, then started walking in circles and saying I am humble I am humble I will not worship Satan I will not worship Satan.  No, he spoke the Word and said, “It is written, worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” (Deuteronomy 6:13) 

Satan then goes and reminds Jesus that the angels will come and rescue him if he throws himself off this cliff.  Jesus turns again and starts chanting I will not throw myself off this cliff over and over.  No, he spoke the Word and said, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Deuteronomy 6:16) 

You see, Jesus never spoke about the temptation. He simply spoke the Word of God and the Bible says in verse 13, “When the devil had finished all his temping, he left him until an opportune time.” Some of you need to understand that Satan does not contain endless amounts of tests or temptations. In this verse, it tells us that when the devil had finished “all his temping” meaning the word of God presented to him in three simple verses was enough to trump the devil. The Bible tells us that Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, God’s own Spirit lives within us. You are a weapon with God’s Word coming out of your mouth!

The lesson here is to speak the Word of God and Satan will flee.  The Bible says that when Satan had finished, he left until an opportune time. Friends, I am here to say that Satan is not finished with you yet.  He is still prowling about seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)  Take a page from Jesus and use the Word of God against Satan and his temptations instead of your bravado or human strength.  If Satan tempted Jesus, he will tempt you too.  You are not exempt from this at all.  You may be tired, hungry, emotionally drained, and flat out not having a good day.  This is when Satan shows up, when Jesus was at the end of the 40 days not the beginning.  Don’t let the 40 days be your breaking point.  Let the word of God be spoken because out of the abundance of your heart your mouth will speak. (Luke 6:45) 

When things get tough, what do you say?   Is it life giving words from the Word of God or is a self embolden I will not…..  Today, realize you are not enough by yourself and you need Jesus in your corner. He is telling you today to speak His word and you will overcome. This part of the code is that you, as a believer and disciple of Christ, walk and speak with the authority of the God’s word!

Prayer: Father open our eyes to see into the spiritual world. Open our eyes to see how powerful your Word is. Open our eyes to see and believe the spoken word of God. I pray that we never repeat any of our issues but rather we say what the promise of your Word says about it. In Jesus name, amen.