Growing In Godliness Blog
“Avenues of Temptation”
Categories: Author: Paul Earnhart, Jesus, TemptationAvenues of Temptation
By Paul Earnhart
The scriptures teach that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet He was without sin (Heb. 4:15). This does not mean that He faced every minute decision that we face. He did not have to decide whether to break into a computer system or whether to go to an immoral movie. But He was tempted through every channel that we are tempted.
In 1 John 2:16 we have described the three avenues through which all temptations come: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life.” Jesus was tempted through all of these as we read in Mt. 4:1-11.
The temptation to turn stones into bread appealed to His physical appetite. Doing this would have made Him feel better. Many of the sins in which people engage today are designed to satisfy some desire of the body. Hunger is the strongest desire of the body, and if Jesus controlled the desire for food after 40 days of fasting, He demonstrated that He could control any other appeal to His fleshly desires.
The temptation to jump from the pinnacle of the temple was an appeal to pride. For one thing, Satan said, “If You are the Son of God.” This was kind of dare and many a sin has been committed in response to a dare. Furthermore, Jesus would have become instantly famous if He had successfully jumped from that high point and survived. But Jesus refused.
When Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world, he did not just mention those kingdoms by name. He took Jesus up on a high mountain and in some way showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. He was appealing to man’s natural desire to have what he sees. This was the ultimate visible prize; if Jesus overcame this temptation, He could overcome the offer of any lesser prize that might come in view.
Every temptation that we face comes through one of these channels. Jesus is our example in resisting temptation. Let us follow Him in all things.
