Understanding temptation is very important in our fight against it. Too many times Christians treat temptation as no big deal and the result is a falling into sin. Many times, people will carelessly say, “since God is in control of all things, then He must be behind the temptation, so it is His responsibility to get me through the temptation.”
Wait a minute. God does promise to give us a way out when we are tempted, but He is not behind temptation. Temptation is when we are being allured away by our big three enemies – the world, the flesh, and the devil. Thankfully, God has promised to provide a way of escape, grace to escape, and promptings to escape but we need to be in tune to God and His word to escape!
James 1:13–15 (ESV) — 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) — 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
What about this threefold nature of temptation. Consider the scene in the garden when Eve was tempted.
Genesis 3:6 (ESV) — 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Because Satan was so successful in alluring Eve and Adam, his technique of appealing to body, soul, and spirit seems to be a common tactic in drawing people into sin. Notice he first appeals to the fleshly appetites of a person, as Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was “good for food.” Secondly, he appealed to an emotional response, “pleasant to the eyes.” Thirdly, he went to spiritual pride in that the fruit he said was guaranteed to “make one wise.” Notice how these three points of attack are addressed in Scripture.
1 John 2:15–16 (ESV) — 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
James 3:14–15 (ESV) — 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
We have a wonderful mediator who was tempted in all points like we are but did not sin so He is able to bring us help when we are tempted and His main source of help is bringing the word of God to mind.
Notice how the three areas of temptation were seen in Jesus’ temptation by the devil and notice how He armed Himself with the word of God in defense against the schemes of the evil one.
Matthew 4:2–11 (ESV) — 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Jesus was tempted physically as he had not eaten for forty days, and Satan tried to appeal to that physical need, but Jesus responded with God’s word. Secondly, Satan appealed to Jesus’ emotions of casting himself down but being held up by the angels to which Jesus again responded with the word of God. Thirdly, Satan tried to appeal to the spiritual side by offering Him a kingdom without the cross, to which Jesus again responded with the word of God.
Do you see the key to facing temptation and fighting off the evil one? Help is found in the word of God.
Psalm 119:11 (ESV) — 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
As we find the great passage describing the armor of God that we need to face the fiery darts of the wicked one, we find the offensive weapon of the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 (ESV) — 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Why is this so important? Because of the promise to those who, like our Lord Jesus Christ, prevail when tempted.
James 1:12 (ESV) — 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
