Tangling with Temptation

Ray A. Seilhamer
Bishop, 1993-2001

May 1996

We all tangle with temptations. They come in many subtle ways, seeking to capture us at a weak point.

Luke describes how Jesus, after he was baptized, went into the Wilderness for 40 days. During that time, Satan hit him with three powerful temptations. Let’s look at those temptations.

1. The temptation to take a shortcut to popularity.

Satan said, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
Jesus replied, "It is written: ‘Man does not live by bread alone.’"

Satan suggested that Jesus satisfy his hunger by making food out of rock. But let’s consider another temptation lurking within this one.

If Jesus could make food out of nothing for himself, he could do it for others—like poor people struggling to survive. Changing stones into bread to feed the hungry would build an instant following. They would flock around him. Give people what they want, better their condition, create abundance rather than poverty, and you gain popularity and loyalty.

But popularity was not the highest good. Jesus came to feed the souls of people, not just their bodies.

Of course, later he did make food out of nothing when he multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed 5000 people. Afterwards, Jesus said, "You are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life" (John 6:26-27).

Jesus was telling them not to put physical appetites first—just as, in the Wilderness, he refused to put his own appetites first.

2. The temptation to leave his primary mission.

Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. "If you worship me, I will give all of this to you."

Jesus replied, "It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’"

Jesus refused the role of political leadership. This was a temptation he would continue to face. The Jews longed for a Messiah who would free them from Roman oppression and restore Israel’s glory. But Jesus resisted the fierce pressure of the Zealots and others who, according to John 6:15, wanted to take him by force and make him king.

That’s not the kind of Savior the world needed. So Jesus said no to the nationalistic aspirations of his countrymen, just as, in the Wilderness, he said no to the power and authority offered by Satan.

3. The temptation to force God to shield him from danger.

Satan stood beside Jesus atop the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "you can jump off the temple knowing that, according to Scripture, angels will make sure you’re not hurt."

Jesus again quoted Scripture: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
Satan wanted Jesus to jump and watch God come to the rescue. After all, he was God’s son and he deserved God’s protection. This temptation involved making faith in God depend upon being shielded from harm.

This is a strong temptation for Christians. When God blesses us, we can assume the blessing comes from our giftedness and goodness. We then test God, wanting him to demonstrate his power in our lives again. "If I am irresponsible, rescue me anyway." But when God doesn’t swoop to the rescue, Christians have cried out in bitterness. "God, why did you let this happen to me? Aren’t you supposed to protect your children from suffering?"

This temptation is rampant. Some TV evangelists think they are especially favored by God, so they take high risks and engage in questionable behavior, assuming that God won’t let anything bad happen to them. They think, "I’m so important to God that I can get away with some irresponsibility." It is hard to handle popularity, affluence, and perceived opportunity.

Perhaps you put God to the test by eating too much and exercising too little. You can’t live above nature and expect God’s protection. You can’t follow a destructive lifestyle and cry "Foul!" when you reap what you’ve sown. You can’t cozy up to immorality, materialism, or hedonism and think you’re too important for God to let anything happen to you.

There are Alternatives to Every Temptation

"If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall," Paul admonished in 1 Corinthians 10:12. He continued by saying that no temptation we face is unique; others have faced it, too. And God is there to help: "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

When tempted, we should do what Christ did--turn to Scripture. The Psalmist understood this: "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you." The Bible helps us recognize temptation by showing what is right and what is wrong.

Another way to deal with temptation is to run. That’s what Joseph did when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. And it’s what we need to do when Satan tries to entice us.

Jesus escaped every temptation presented to him, and he provides a way of escape for every temptation we face.