Tempting, but no thank you!

When I was a child “Just Say No!” was the “catch phrase” for how to handle temptations. Drugs, strangers enticing you to come with them, etc. I still remember D.A.R.E. (drug abuse resistance education) and later G.R.E.A.T. (gang resistance education and training) classes teaching us how to say NO to things that would harm us in life. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had an instruction manual for how to resist temptations as adults, too? Well, actually we do. The Bible is clear about, number one – the fact that temptation WILL come, and two – how to handle it when it does. When you think you’re above being tempted, you’ve already started to fall. Let’s look at Matthew chapter 4, where Jesus himself faces temptation, handling it in a way that should be our ultimate example.

Satan will never tempt you with something unattainable.

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Matthew 4:3

Jesus could have turned stones into bread and eaten them until his empty belly was filled, with no problem. Satan knew that. But Jesus was fasting, devoting his entire being to simply being with God, his father, and only “feeding” on the word of God. He had already gone 40 days without food. He was hungry. Satan knew his weakness. Rest assured, he knows yours, also. It isn’t tempting for me to think about robbing a casino. I know nothing about them, and I am 100% sure I would get caught. The thought never even crosses my mind. But there are other things, much more attainable, that perhaps I have dabbled in or am familiar with, that would be a greater temptation. Be careful how familiar you are with sins. Identify your weaknesses. Steer clear of any potential “trip hazards” on the path you are walking in life. Satan wants to make you think if it’s attainable, then you should have it. (Or do it.)

Satan makes things look really good…at first.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

Matthew 4:5

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Matthew 4:8

Jesus had a great view from where Satan led him to. He was “on top of the world”, so to speak. But all that glitters is not gold. We have likely all bought into something at one time or another that sounded really good at first, but ended up being an “impulse buy”, and not worth the cost later on. Temptations are like this. We think the grass is greener on the other side, but this is only perspective. Once you get on the other side, you realize the grass requires just as much maintenance, or more, over there, as it did on your previous side of the fence. What looks like a good time, ends up being a nightmarish mess. Be careful!

Satan loves to use scripture to justify his temptations.

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Matthew 4:6

This is his modus operandi… He did this in Genesis 3:1 with Eve. Remember, when he questioned what God said to her about eating the fruit of the tree? It’s his favorite thing to do. If he can make you question one tiny piece of scripture, he can make you question it’s entirety. Twisting/changing/misinterpreting verses to fit/suit our desires is NOT godly. It is never a good idea. It will always lead us down a dark path. Let God’s word say what it means, and mean what it says. Whether we like it or not.

Satan wants you to believe that what he promises is so much better than what you already have.

And (Satan) saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Matthew 4:9

Jesus already owned it all. Yet Satan thought he could tempt him with it anyway. With us, Satan dangles possessions, people, situations, in front of us like a carrot. All the while whispering in our ear “see how much better you could do?”. Don’t believe his lies. Consider all the blessings God has already bestowed upon you. Sure, your life may not be perfect. It may seem like you are going through a valley that never ends. And it may even seem like it would be much better if you just ____(fill in the blank)_____. But the truth is, the easiest, happiest, most blessed place to live is right in the middle of God’s will for your life. (Not someone else’s life.) Walk with God each day, asking him to give you peace and joy in the midst of your circumstances. Paul said he had to LEARN to be content in all circumstances. It doesn’t just happen. It requires work. (Philippians 4:11)

The only way to fight him off is to continually quote, ponder, meditate on, and read scripture.

Go back to each of the verses I referenced above through chapter 4 of Matthew. For every temptation the devil offered, Jesus replied with a verse of scripture that contradicted him. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we knew our Bible so well we could quote verses to rebuff every advance the devil tried to make in our lives each week? I would love to be able to say that I know my Bible that well. And it is a goal of mine. But in the mean time, I’ll just keep reading. Keep studying. And keep encouraging you to do the same! Here’s to another day of saying “Get away from me, Satan!!”

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Matthew 4:10