Satan's Tempting

If we look at the story of Satan's attempt to tempt Jesus in the desert in Matthew 4:1-11, we can learn some very specific strategies that Satan will use to tempt us into sin in various areas in our lives. Please take a moment and read through this section of scripture. It will bring better clarity to the things I am about to share on this topic of temptation.

Satan tempts us by...

Exploiting our greatest area of weakness

Satan’s first attempt to tempt Jesus was to start with the place that Christ was the most vulnerable, His weakest spot. Jesus had just finished 40 days of fasting and scripture tells us He was hungry. Let’s be real here, just like Jesus, we too would be most vulnerable in this area of food after a 40 day fast! And some of us might not be so steadfast in refuting the temptation like Jesus did. I am quite sure I would waver in this particular area myself. Jesus’ response was straight from the word of God. “Man does not live on bread alone.” (Deuteronomy 8:3) Jesus did not argue with Satan. He simply presented him with the written word. Satan will always start his attack at our weakest point. Rightfully so, why would an enemy try to attack their opponent at their strongest point, where their walls are the highest and thickest? A thief will not show up to our house in broad daylight with a warning phone call announcing that he is coming first. No, they will come in the moments when we least expect it, in those moments that we are not prepared for, at our weakest moments. The enemy will always look for the weakest link and attack there first! In this example food was Jesus’ weak spot. For others of us it could be in the area of jealousy, controlling our tongue, being critical, unforgiveness, not remaining in a spirit of thankfulness, being diligent, remaining in God’s word, praying, or some other area. Satan is not dumb. He knows our weaknesses and is ready, willing, and able to exploit them in the worst possible way.  

Distracting us from God’s plan/taking the easy road

In the second attempt, Satan tries to make Jesus think there is an easier road that He should be walking on, a “quick fix” so to speak. As you have heard me say before “there are no shortcuts in the kingdom,” despite what we might wish for at times. Satan tries to tempt Jesus into jumping off the the temple. I want us to think about this for a moment. Why would Jesus be tempted to throw Himself off of the highest point of the temple? Satan proceeds to quote Psalm 91:11-12. Proving that yes, even the devil knows what the word of God says. Satan knew that the hearts of many of the people were anxiously awaiting a majestic king to arrive from the clouds of heaven. In jumping, Satan was hoping that God would send his angels to rescue Jesus. The people would have seen Jesus coming down from the top of the temple arriving in a cloud of angles, the majestic king they always wanted. This in turn would have some extreme ramifications. If Jesus had jumped a couple things would have transpired. The religious people would have gotten what they expected and wanted, Jesus would have never suffered on the cross, and our sins would never have been covered by His blood. Satan would have won. This was the shortcut Satan was hoping Jesus was going to take. Satan tried to convince Jesus that God was going to protect Him no matter what. Jesus knew that supernatural protection only comes by staying in the will of the Father and His Father had not told Him to jump. Proving that Jesus never did anything without the Father’s permission. In response Jesus simply relies “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Deuteronomy 6:16

Planting a seed of doubt

Wrapped up in Satan’s second attempt was also another ploy he tried to use to tempt Jesus. It is all wrapped up in one very small word in Matthew 4:6. In fact, this word is only two letters long, but it is a word that provokes a whole lot of doubt to crop up in our minds when we mall it around long enough. The devil strategically uses the word “IF" in an attempt to plant doubt in the mind of Christ. Had Jesus taken the time to contemplate that two letter word He may very well have found Himself in a whole different situation entirely. I don’t know about you, but this little word “if” has sent my mind onto some very long winding rabbit trails of unnecessary doubt all because I began to allow this tiny little word to take root in my mind. This word “if” can be a major weapon in Satan’s arsenal when it comes to planting doubt in our minds. It is Satan’s desire to plant doubt in our minds because he knows that a seed of doubt can grow and like weeds in a garden, just one seed can take over and destroy the plans and purposes that God has for our lives. One seed of doubt can create a multitude of problems when we nurture it.

Appealing to our pride

Satan’s third attempt at tempting Jesus was to appeal to his pride. Pride can be one of our biggest stumbling blocks. We can get so hung up on the things we want and completely miss out on the things God desires for us. By this point Satan has seen that his first two attempts have failed, so he resorts to outright lying. Satan had no power to give Jesus the kingdoms of this world, and yet he still promised that it could all be his “if” Jesus would bow down and worship him. If Jesus had spent any time catering to His pride, then this surely would have been His downfall. We so often desire to have positions of authority, titles attached to our names or to be recognized for our accomplishments. Jesus did not desire any of that. The only glory he wanted to be associated with was the glory that was given to His Father! So in response, Jesus simply replies “Worship the Lord and serve him only.” Deuteronomy 6:13

These are just four things off a long list of things Satan uses to lead us down a path of temptation. I share these things because all of them I have personally struggled with at one point or another and I have no doubt that they will continue to be areas I have to guard my heart and mind from. If Satan has tempted you in any of these areas, or maybe all of these areas, know that you are not alone. The Lord doesn’t leave us to fight off Satan for ourselves without any help.

Scripture tells us…

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“...for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have set such a beautiful example for us to follow in combating the temptations of Satan. Help us when the missiles are being launched at us to combat them with your word just as you did with Satan in the desert. Help us to be steadfast and unwavering in our battle. We know that Satan is out to rob, kill and destroy your work in our lives. Help us to keep our eyes and minds focused on you and not the things that Satan is trying to get us to focus our attention on. We know that he is only trying to distract us from the beautiful plan you have for us. Quicken our minds to be able to refute the attacks of the enemy with your word. Help us to resist the temptations that are being hurled at us.