So how do we as Christ followers live in an evil world and handle temptation?
Let's look to Jesus' example in Luke 4.
After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led into the wilderness for 40 days where He ate nothing and was tempted by Satan. Nowhere in Palestine could Jesus have been more isolated or in less comfort. He was completely alone and completely vulnerable. Jesus was being tempted and enticed to do evil and the temptations became progressively worse.
We first see Satan tempting Jesus to turn stones into bread to satisfy His deep hunger. In v.3-4, Satan was trying to get Jesus to distrust God and use his powers to serve Himself and his own desires. But at any point in His ministry did Jesus use His powers to serve Himself or make Himself more comfortable? No. And He didn't give into this temptation in the wilderness either. When it would have made the most sense to give in, and when it would have been the most understandable to use His powers to quench His hunger, Christ didn't. He refused to distrust God. Follow Christ's example - trust in God, not your own desires and wants.
Next, Satan went deeper and appealed to Jesus' supposed rights as the Son of God. In v.5-8, we see Satan taking Jesus and showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and saying that he would give all this authority to Jesus, and if Jesus worshipped him (Satan) then all of the kingdoms of the world would be His. Satan wanted Jesus to bow before him and worship him. So often temptation approaches us the same way - "Look what you could have, look at all this power. Don't wait; take it now!" But Jesus saw through Satan's trap of immediate gratification, and trusted God's plan of eternal purpose.
Lastly, Satan took Jesus to the temple at Jerusalem and set him on the roof and told him, "If you are the son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" (v.9-11) So often, we try to test God to see how much He cares or if He's even listening. We demand signs from God that He is there - one more miracle, one more show. But the truth is, to test God is to doubt His presence and existence. God won't reveal to you what He's going to do, but He will reveal to you who He is.
Why did Christ have to go through temptation? Why did God enter the world in flesh, where He experienced hunger, heartbreak, sadness, anger, exhaustion, and pain? Because He knew we would feel those things too.
"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." - Hebrews 2:18
We know we can turn to Christ will all we're dealing with because He's dealt with it too. And not only has he experienced it, He's overcome it.
Every Christ-follower will deal with temptation. But we must respond like Christ. He was prepared - He spent time with the Father, and time in prayer and fasting. And He knew God's word. Every time Satan tempted Him, He responded with God's word. Christ recognized that His mission before Him, the calling to do God's will and to glorify His Father, was much stronger than His desires and comfort and satisfaction.
Do we feel the same way? Do we see our mission from God as more urgent and powerful than our personal wants and desires?
Get into God's word and hide His message in your heart. Recognize the power and glory of God, and get to know Him more and more everyday. The more you know Him and love Him, the easier it will be to put His purpose above your own.
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