When studying the temptation of Christ, sometimes the focus is so much on the actual temptation and response of Christ that what happened previously is missed. How Jesus responded to the temptation is important, but how he reacted to being set up for the temptation is equally important. Prior to the temptation was the TEST. Satan’s strategy seems to be to initiate the test to see if he can create doubt thus setting up the person for a temptation, and then in a weakened state of mind, he will initiate the temptation. Yielding to temptation results in sin. After a significant moment at the baptism of Jesus, the voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” This wonderful experience was immediately followed by 40 days of fasting in the desert. Matt. 3:17 and Matt. 4:1&2 Satan’s first statement was not the temptation, but this: “If you are the Son of God … Have you ever had thoughts like this – If you are really a child of God?. Or What if the Bible isn’t really true.. Or What if you aren’t really a Christian.. All these types of thoughts are “doubt creators.” Know who you are and never doubt that you are a child of the Most High God. Then you will be strong to cope with the temptation because you have passed the test. The next weapon you have in coping with temptation is scripture. Jesus said (by implication – I am the Son of God) and “it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4 The second test occurred the same way – “If you are the Son of God … The temptation was to test God by using scripture which Satan quoted to Jesus. The temptation was to misuse scripture to put God to a test. Jesus said (by implication – I am the Son of God) – and “it is also written, do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Matt. 4:7 Have you ever had thoughts like this – If you are a child of God – then do something to get God to respond proving that He is God – if you’re a child of God, quit your job for it is written, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19 Your answer, “It is also written, do not put the Lord your God to the test.” In the third temptation, Satan did not question if he was the Son of God. Satan attempts to tempt Him with an easier way out thus by-passing the cross with all of its suffering. Jesus told him, “Away from me Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Matt. 4:10 But this test isn’t really new. In Gen. 3:1 the serpent says, “Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” The pattern is the same, create doubt and doubt will create a receptive state of mind for temptation. To overcome temptation, have a strategy. Know who you are at all times – a child of the Most High God. In the testing time, remind yourself who you are. You are a child of the Most High God. Without doubt and with a knowledge of the scriptures, you will be in a strong state of mind to cope with any temptation that you experience.
