In the Trenches

Matthew 4:1-11

Faith is as practical as you can get. It’s not ivory tower, abstract, feel-good thinking. Faith is for real life in the trenches. Let’s look together at the life of Jesus and see how Christ Himself used faith at the point of temptation to gain victory. Some people argue that as God, Jesus couldn’t experience true temptation to sin. False. The Bible teaches that Jesus was severely tempted. Hebrews 4:15 reassures us that Jesus gets it: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” When facing temptation, Jesus didn’t use His divine powers to say no. In fact, using His deity is exactly what Satan was tempting Him to do, but Jesus refused. Jesus exercised faith in the Word of God to repel the attacks of the evil one. As each temptation presented itself, Jesus used only one weapon to fight it: faith in the Word of God. Three temptations. Three Biblical answers. A perfect example of the power of faith in God’s Word.

Questions for further thought:
1. Why is it comforting to know that Jesus was tempted just as we are?
2. What are some common temptations you face? 

Challenge: Think of some verses from God’s Word that address those temptations you referenced in question #2, and arm yourself.