About Temptation

Matthew 4:1-11

 Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. 3 Then the Devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.’ ” 

5 Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’ ” 

8 Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will only kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.’ ” 

11 Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus.

Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Mt 4:1). Wheaton: Tyndale House.

Jesus quotes scripture here to resist temptation.  I’ve heard people say that this is the key to resisting temptation.  But in my experience, I can quote scripture but still am tempted, and often give in.  There has to be more than just saying the words.   

I'm sure that the Word of God does have power.  Satan can't stand before the word, the truth.  His lies fall apart, and he is defeated.   But if we are merely quoting scriptures without conviction, just repeating words, then what good does it do?    

Jesus was tempted when He was at His weakest, not His strongest. Satan knows when to attack! But He didn’t give in, didn’t make any excuses or rationalizations to allow Himself to indulge His own desires instead of doing what was right. Jesus had His mind made up.  He was going to do what He knew what His Father's will, no matter how tempted He was.    He wasn't trying to bolster His faith or determination in these quotes.  He was stating an undefeatable truth.   

My problem when I merely quote scriptures when facing temptation is that I'm waivering.  I'm trying to convince myself, as much as I am trying to defeat the enemy.  So even if temptation slacks, it comes right back.   

We have a choice to make.  We can obey, or we can be disobedient, and do what we wish.  Speaking God's word may have some effect, but if we are undecided, it won't help us much in the end.  It isn't a magic formula, guaranteed to make temptation go away.   

The victory doesn't come from quoting God's word at the source of temptation so we won't be faced with the choice any more.  The victory comes from facing the strength of our desires, and surrendering to God's truth despite them.  Then, when we quote God's word, we are not waivering but committed, and the enemy is defeated.