Bible Studies

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The Gospels

Matthew 4:1-11 - Temptations for Life
Key Verses: (NLT)

• 1-2: "Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. ²For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry." - Immediately following His baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days.
  
  
• 3: "Then the Devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread." - After forty days of temptations and going without food, Satan first focused on what he perceived to be Jesus' weaknesses. This temptation is more about Jesus' identity than it is about food and nourishment. Satan wanted Jesus to set aside who He was and turn His attention towards selfish needs and wants.
  
  
• 6-7: "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.'" <sup>7</sup>Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, `Do not test the Lord your God.'" - In an attempt lure Jesus through pride, Satan shows that he is versed in the Word, but instead of obeying what is said, he uses scripture for his own purpose.
  
  
• 8-9: "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." - Now turning towards His strengths, Satan offers what he perceives to be Jesus' goal - kingdom building in the earthly sense.
  
  
• 10-11: "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, `You must worship the Lord your God; Serve only him.'" ¹¹Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus." - As we turn towards God and choose to serve only Him, He will send help and support along the way.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Has the Holy Spirit lead you into the wilderness? Why do you think wilderness experiences are an important aspect to your spiritual walk? Do they give you the ability to fully understand your human failings and weaknesses? Are they a test to see how you will respond? How do you measure up in these types of tests? Are you focused on fulfilling your physical needs? Is pride an issue that regularly leads you astray? Are you looking for quick and easy ways to achieve your goals?
  
  
• Do you learn from your temptations? Do you accept that your temptation experiences are one way God can prepare you for the ministry He has in store for you? Can you see that being in the wilderness is a normal part of life and simply because you are tempted does not mean you have failed? Can you learn to see temptation as a growth opportunity?
  
  
• Who are you? Do you see that temptation is more about who and whose you are than it is about sin? To withstand temptation is it helpful to remember that you are a child of God? In the midst of your deepest struggle, do you realize that God loves you? Are you strengthened because He has selected you and called you by name? Jesus withstood Satan by quoting scripture. Is this simply a way of remembering God's love for you? Does this show you how important prayer and the study of the Bible are to your survival in the wilderness?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

Jesus' baptism had just been completed. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He then began His ministry by following the Holy Spirit. And then, suddenly, He found Himself in the wilderness…a symbolic depiction of being separated from God. However, He was not alone. For forty days the devil tempted Him and for forty days He had grown hungry and weak. Jesus was led into the wilderness to experience separation as all of us since Adam have experienced it. Through temptation the devil tried to pressure Jesus into forgetting who He was; he tried creating a crisis in identity. But God has provided us with ways to remember that we are His children. We have been called by name. He promises to provide, nourish, care, and protect us. Our wildernesses experiences and the temptations we face in life can be opportunities for growth when we choose to remember to call out His name.

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