Jesus came to the earth in flesh to fulfill the appointed task of the Savior. Before His ministry began in earnest, He fasted for 40 days. During the fasting He was given three tests in the will of God. The three tests are recorded in Matthew 4:1-11.
These tests represent typical temptations that come to God's children who hold belief in Jesus Christ. Let's now delve into the spiritual meanings in each of the tests and firm up our faith by seeing how Jesus passed through all of the temptations with the Word of God.
The first temptation, 'Greed''
"And the tempter came and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread'" (Matthew 4:3).
God's children should stand firmly against and resist the temptation of the devil (James 4:7). This is possible only with the Word of God (Ephesians 6:11, 17). Note that they should not have only knowledge of the Word, but they should practice it and thereby cultivate their hearts into spirit. If they have the Word cultivated in heart, they can pass the tests.
'Greed' refers to an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves. People may be greedy for wealth, food, and the like. For instance, suppose a person fasted and is now supposed to have recovery meals, but he eats inappropriate food. It results from being overcome by greed. Even if they look insignificant, we should pass tests 'with the Word of God', and through such experiences we become more capable. Otherwise, we can't be provided with the ability to pass greater tests.
James 1:14-15 reads, "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." Let's say a businessman has greed in his heart and is given a chance to gain great profits if he makes an illegal choice just this once. If he carries out the unlawful act, it means he fails to resist the temptation. At the moment, this may seem like an opportunity of blessing, but rather it will lead to difficulties.
This is because God is alive, and He blesses those who keep His commandments and walk in the Light. He answers their prayers when they ask in faith.
The second temptation, "Arrogance"
"Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down…'" (Matthew 4:5-6)
The second test is concerned with arrogance. 'Arrogance' means superiority or self-importance, overbearing pride and haughtiness.
This temptation of arrogance mostly comes to a believer whose faith has grown up to some degree. He has learned the Word of God, he is able to discern the truth, and he may work having a God-given duty. In the meantime, arrogance may sprout in heart without their knowing. Because such people always try to live in goodness based on their knowledge of the truth, they find it hard to perceive the arrogance in themselves.
Or, typically, this test is given to a believer who has received a duty in church not long after he became a Christian (1 Timothy 3:6). People may also face this temptation when they have vast spiritual knowledge of the Word but their hearts have not been cultivated with it. They believe they understand the Word with the heart though they have only knowledge of it (1 Corinthians 8:1).
If one's heart is cultivated with the Word, he humbles himself, serves others, and enjoys sacrificing himself for the benefit of others. On the contrary, if people simply have knowledge of the Word and become leaders with the passing of time, most of them like to give orders to others and to be served. We should pass the test of 'arrogance' with humbleness and regarding others more important than ourselves. This is a short-cut to achieving the heart of spirit.
The third temptation, "Earthly Glory"
"Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me'" (Matthew 4:8-9).
Here 'all the kingdoms of the world' were originally given to Adam, the first man, by God the Creator. God allowed Adam to subdue and rule over them. But by disobeying God and obeying Satan, Adam's authority to rule was handed over to Satan. But we believers in Jesus Christ who restored the authority won't be trapped by this temptation as long as we are spiritually awakened and always pray.
Some believers enter into the temptation because they see the glory on this earth. Since the worldly fame, authority, glory, and wealth look great, they compromise with the world and even forsake their faith to get them. It is like worshiping the devil.
Snared by this temptation, some violate the Lord's Day to earn more money though they have received great grace from God. Others pray less and work less for the kingdom of God than before. Still others conceal that they are Christians for fame, or enjoy drinking and worldly pleasure like the worldly people do. All these come from their love for the world.
1 John 2:15 says, "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Therefore, we should overcome all temptations from the world through the Word of God. Above all we should arm ourselves with the Word and prayer and live godly lives.
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