Sister Tarpley: Christians are Tempted in Three Areas, like Jesus

By: Sister Shirley Tarpley, NDG Religion Editor

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1).

Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan!  After 40 days of fasting, when Jesus was at his weakest physically, Satan came to Him.  He tempted Jesus in three areas where you and I are most tempted.  Why would the Father require this?  Jesus needed to affirm to Satan who He was and from whom He gained His authority and provision.

Our Identity – “‘If You are the Son of God, said Satan to Jesus, throw Yourself down.  For it is written:  “He shall give His angels charge over You,” and, “In their hands they shall bear You up, lest you dash Your foot against a stone.”‘  Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, ‘you shall not tempt the LORD your God.'”  Jesus understood His identity and refused to allow Satan to redefine Him.  Do not allow Satan to define your identity from anyone or anything other than God.

Our Authority – “Again, the devil took Jesus up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And, he said to Jesus, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’   Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan!  For it is written:  ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'”  Jesus’ authority was rooted in doing only what He saw the Father do. He did not use fleshly authority.

Our Source of Provision – “And when Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’  But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”‘”

Today, realize that your identify resides in being a son or daughter of God.  Your authority resides in being led by the Holy Spirit.  Your provision comes from your Heavenly Father.

Remember they said, “you have received of us how you ought to walk and how to please God, so that you would abound more and more.   For you know the commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.   For this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (I Thessalonians 4:1-3).

Thank God for giving you His Word as a light unto your path and a lamp unto your feet.  Ask for forgives when you are “hard-headed,” and do not follow God’s commandments.  Ask to do God’s will, not yours, which is based on God’s Word. Sometimes it is difficult to live under the authority of certain people.  Human nature makes us want to rebel, but God’s Word instructs us to obey those in authority, as long as that obedience is not in direct conflict to His Word.  Ask God for the strength to obey Him and to do what is right.  Ask God to bless you when you do what is right and walk in a way that is pleasing to God.  Always remember to thank God in the name of Jesus because He paid the price with His precious blood.