Lent 1 Luke 4:1-13

February 17, 2013

Struggling to make ends meet as newlyweds, the young husband was furious when he confronted his young bride with a receipt for a $250 dress she’d bought the day before “How could you do this? We don’t have this kind of money!” She explained, “Well, I was outside the store at the mall looking at the dress in the window, and the next thing I knew I was inside trying it on. It was as if the devil was whispering in my ear, “You look fabulous in that dress. Go ahead and buy it!” Her husband replied, “Do you now how I deal with that kind of temptation? I just say, ‘Get behind me, Satan!”. She answered, “And that’s exactly what I did. But then he said, ‘It looks fabulous from back here, too!”

We hear about people who have fallen into temptation almost every day: from high profile sports figures and political leaders to decorated military leaders and movie stars;your next door neighbor, your son or daughter, you and me. The Apostle Paul was right when he told the Christians in Corinth, “No temptation has come upon you except that which is common to man.” Everyone is tempted. And everyone falls into temptation.

So how do you handle it when something sounds tempting – too tempting to resist?

  1. Spot temptation

What is temptation?Temptation is an invitation to sin, to disobey God, to take matters into our own hands, to trust in ourselves, to believe the devil instead of God. Temptations offer an easy way out, a quick and easy fix, and they seems like the right thing to do at the time. Temptations appeal to our emotions instead of the facts and ask, “How do you feel about this?”James, the brother of Jesus, explains in his epistle, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire (i.e. how he feels about it), he is dragged away and enticed.”

Temptations come in countless forms. Some come as pain and suffering. Others come as pleasure and fun. Some are loud and obvious, like sexual lust and adultery. Others are quiet and subtle, like pride and holding a grudge.But behind every temptation there is always a consequence. To surrenderis to sin, and sin always has consequences. Solomon expresses God’s wisdom so well: “Thereisawaythatseemsright to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

The master of every temptation is the devil, the father of lies, who cannot tell the truth. He masquerades as a friend but his heart is bent on murder. See how he tried to steer Jesus away from the truth during those 40 days in the wilderness by appealing to his emotions:

  • “Are you sure your heavenly Father cares about you? Then why did he drag you out into this God-forsaken wilderness and leave you here to starve to death? Since you are his Son – you are, aren’t you? - thentake matters into your own hands. You have the power – use it to produce some food.”
  • “You are the Messiah, aren’t you? Then you’re entitled to a life of glory. Why take up the cross when you could take the easy way out?
  • “Is it safe for you to put all your eggs in one basket? Can you entrust your soul entirely to God for time and eternity? Can you base your whole life completely on his Word? Are you sure he will do what he promises?

Do any of those temptations sound familiar? Does God really care for you? Shouldn’t things be going better for you if you’re a Christian? Aren’t you entitled to have something for yourself instead of always giving to others? Is the Bible the only rule and guide for my life?

Satan tempted King David with all those thoughts. On one quiet evening he urged him to gaze at a bathing woman until his desire was aroused to have her. Although she was married, they both felt entitled to some happiness. Surely God would understand. But sin always leads to more sin– denial, deception, cover up, and finally murder.Never in his wildest dreams would David have imagined he could have done such things! And as we look back over our lives, you and I can say the same. How could I?!

  1. Look to Jesus

When you are tempted, look at Jesus. He’s been there.“We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way, just as we are.” (Hebrews 4:14,15)Because Jesus is God, he could have easily crushed Satan with his almighty power. Instead he faced our archenemy just as you and I must face him – in human flesh and blood. Satan’s temptations were real, felt, and difficult for Jesus, just as ours are for us. And afterbeing battered with temptations for 40 days,Satan confronted Jesus with some of his most powerful temptations.

When you are tempted, look to Jesus, your flesh and blood brother. In perfect childlike trust Jesus threw himself completely into his Father’s hands andclung to his Father’s Word and nothing else. “It is written!”“Satan, no matter what you say, how well you say it, or how tempting your offer, this is what my Father says. “It is written!” Jesus defeated the father of lies with nothing but the Truth of God’s Word…the very same weapon he’s given to you.

But Jesusdoes more than show us how to handle temptation. When you give in to it and then feel the crushing guilt of failing your Lord, do not fall for Satan’s follow-up temptation: despair.Look to Jesus! Your Savior overcame every temptation perfectly in your place.“He was tempted in every way, just as we are… yet was without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) Jesus held his ground against Satan for you. He obeyed the Father’s will for you. Jesus lived the spotlesslife we cannot live so that he could make his way to Calvary. And therehebore the punishment for our great failures so he could give us the credit for his great successes!So let Satan roar and howl all he wants - there is no sin past, present, or future for which Christ has not paid the full price! There is no temptation which Christ has not faced and defeated in your place.Remember that victory when Satan points his accusing finger at you once he’s led you into temptation. Look to Jesus and his perfect life!That perfect life is nowyours.Satan can accuse you no more.

There was a thief on a cross next to Jesus on Calvary who had made a career of falling into temptation. Now he was suffering the ultimate consequence for the devil’s slavery. But he’s been watching and listening to Jesus. In Christ he found forgiveness and hope because Jesus was getting what every sinner deserved to remove our sins from God’s sight. Jesus strengthenedthat redeemed soul to overcome the last temptation – the fear of death – with his mighty Word ofassurance, “Today I have defeated Satan for you. Today you will be with me in paradise.”Look to Jesus. He has done the same for you.

  1. Contend with temptation

In the original language, it says in v.2 that Jesus was being tempted. In other words, Satan was relentless. He never quit. When he couldn’t succeed in the wilderness, “(Satan) left (Jesus) until an opportune time.”

Jesus contended with temptation all his earthly life, and he implored his disciples to do the same in order to protect their hearts and souls from harm: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Thespiritiswilling, but the body is weak.” (Mt 26:41)

What are some of those opportune times in your life? When you are alone? When you are tired? When you’re celebrating? When you are sick and hurting? When you’re shopping? When you’re angry? When you’re on the internet?

What are your weaknesses? Do you tend to worry? Do you crave attention? Do you focus on your looks? Do you find security in money? Is it hard to accept others and all their shortcomings? Is it hardto be content with the life God gave you?

Satan watches for opportune timesin our lives, too. It isn’t a matter of if, but when, he will shoot a flaming arrow to tempt us.When Joseph was far from home in Egypt, Satan found many opportune times to tempt him. His master’s wife tried to seduce him day after day. Joseph could have thought, “Why not?I’ve had a hard life. I’ve been mistreated and abused. Surely I’m entitled to some pleasure. Besides, who would know?”God would know!Joseph didn’t have a Bible, but he carried God’s Word in his heart. He answered the temptation with no ifs, ands, or buts: “How could I do such a wicked thing andsinagainstGod?”(Genesis 39:9).

If you need a reason to hear, learn, memorize, and put God’s Word to practice in your life or in your children’s lives, here it is. Satan knows your opportune times.He has designed your fall. He’s done it to multitudes, and he can do it to any of us. Butyour heavenly Father has designed your victory!You won’t always have a Bible on hand, but you can carry his Word in your heart. In his Word you can see Jesus soundly defeating Satan for you. And with his Word you will be clear and stand firm the next time something sounds tempting. Amen.