Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are. 1 John 2:16 has the trifecta for temptations which come our way –“ the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”. Throughout his wilderness testing the devil tempted Jesus in these 3 areas: the flesh hungered for stones to become bread, the eyes were shown the splendour of kingdoms, pride was aroused by the questioning the Son of God’s privilege. 

The power of temptation is in not being satisfied with what you have. The Devil attempted to bring into question what Jesus already had. This is what Jesus responds with: he knows the God who provides, the God who is above all Kingdoms, the God who is utterly faithful. Each scripture Jesus quotes captures what he has. The Devil’s questioning collapses under the weight of Jesus certainty and satisfaction in God. 

These are like our own temptations. Granted without quite the same level of drama. But the Devil does probe us to be dissatisfied with what we already have. It’s about time we remind him of our own certainty and satisfaction in God. 

In Him, 

Jason (photo:shutterstock.com)