Outwitting the Tempter

On several occasions I ­have stressed the point that Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, was, during his time here on earth a fully human man. Temptation has always been a very real part of what it means to be alive and as Hebrews 4:15 tells us, Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are.” Most of us are familiar with the scene recorded by each synoptic writer in which Jesus, almost famished from some forty days of fasting, is severely tempted by the Devil in a series of possible choices. To deal with the entire encounter is not possible due to limited space but I want you to think about several aspects of the occasion at large.
       The first is that Jesus was “led by the Spirit out into the wasteland to be tempted by the devil” (p. 26). This becomes of renewed interest in that Pope Francis is on record in favor of changing the clause in the Lords Prayer that says, “Lead me not into temptation.” The point is that if the Holy Spirit led Jesus to be tempted (as in today’s account) why would Jesus tell us to pray, “Lead me not into temptation?” I do not think it necessary to alter scripture so it won’t have Jesus teaching something that might seem inappropriate. Jesus was led by the Spirit into temptation just as we are. The Greek eisphero means “to cause someone to enter into a certain event or condition,” so the normal understanding of this line in the prayer is that we are asking to be exempt from an experience that Jesus faced on a daily basis, and that seems strange. The answer, I believe, is to understand the prayer in a slightly different way so that the prayer request becomes, “Don’t let me face a trial (the other translation of peirasmos) in which I’m bound to fail,” or, “Don’t let me get hung up in a moral choice where I’m sure to blow it.”
       We have already noticed that the temptation caught Jesus at a vulnerable moment. For almost 40 days Jesus had not eaten. He was hungry. Quite often I am reminded that deceit is the major element in Satan’s arsenal. He showed his hand the first time around when he suggested to Adam that God’s one restriction was designed for his own personal benefit. Satan has been deceiving people forever; it is his number one weapon. So watch out when you find yourself making a case that supports your growing intention of doing something that your conscience still tells you is wrong. Our fallen nature is a push over for the enemy of our soul.
       One further remark about the temptation scene in general is Jesus’ use of scripture in his battle against Satan and his destructive plans. To the suggestion that he turn stones into bread in order to convince others that he is the Son of God, Jesus replied, “Scripture says” that we need spiritual food as well as regular bread. For the suggestion that he jump off the top pinnacle of the temple to prove that God will protect him, he answers “But Scripture also says” and cites what it teaches on that subject. Finally, Satan offers him the world and all is grandeur if he will simply bow down and worship him, and Jesus responds, “Beat it Satan, because Scripture says . . . “ The point is simple; The way to meet all temptation is to respond with what scripture says on the subject. This means that we often fail when tempted because we aren’t aware of what Scripture says on the subject. This is the most important insight in all of Scripture on how to overcome temptation. God is available in the Bible not only to inform, but to encourage us as we resist the suggestions of the one who is dedicated to bringing us down.