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Three Temptation Tactics of the Devil

 

 

Temptation of Jesus by the Devil

 

It is recorded in the Scriptures that Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, the devil tempted Him with three questions and Jesus overcame all of them. (Matthew 4:1-11)

 

Actually I believe Jesus had been tempted many more than just three times, but these temptations have been recorded to show us the three major tactics that the devil use for temptation.

 

 

Three Tactics of the Devil’s Temptations

 

    1. Temptation to Do Things in One’s Own Way

 

And when He (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.’ ” ~ Matthew 4:1-4

 

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to fast in the wilderness. Until the end of the fast was declared, Jesus was not supposed to eat any food even though He had the freedom and ability to do so. The devil was therefore tempting Jesus to violate God’s command to do things in His own way, thinking that Jesus would be weakened by His hunger.

 

Many of us experience the same temptation when we face some kind of pressure. A good example was king Saul who made an offering to God by himself when priest Samuel was late for the ritual. Even though offerings were supposed to be made by the priest, king Saul was so anxious about the crises he was facing that he decided to do things in his own way. This incident cost him his throne, and David was soon chosen to replace him (1 Samuel 13:5-14). 

 

It should be noted here that, God wants us to follow His ways not because He is a tyrant. Rather, it is because He is all knowing, and we are limited by our physical senses. It becomes very easy for us to make mistakes if we do not follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is even more important for a king or anyone holding any important position.

 

 

    2. Temptation to Doubt God’s Words

 

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, 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.’ ” ~ Matthew 4:5-7

 

The second temptation was tempting people to doubt God’s Words. When we decide to test something, doubt has already entered our hearts. This is because a person who has no doubt at all would not even consider testing. Once we allow doubt enter our minds, sinful acts may follow through this open door. 

 

This was what happened to Eve when she was tempted by the serpent. God told Adam and Eve that they would die if they eat from the Tree of Knowledge, but the serpent said to Eve “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4), and Eve believed him. This resulted in Adam and Eve finally taking an action to violate God's command, and they were then driven out from the Garden of Eden as a result.

 

To overcome this temptation, we need to remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). When we do not understand, it is better for us to just believe God and keep following His commandments. God has good plans for us, and the good will eventually come. Over time, God will also reveal to us the wisdom behind His works.

 

 

    3. Appealing to One’s Carnal Nature

 

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly 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 will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. ~ Matthew 4:8-11

 

The third tactic is to appeal to one’s carnal desire for wealth, for power, and other material comfort. There are many people in the Bible who yielded to this temptation - Judas who accepted money to betray Jesus, king Solomon who committed idolatry because of his many wives, just to name a few.

 

It will be useful to remember that if we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be given to us (Matthew 6:33). Therefore, there is really no need for us to seize them through improper channels. Jesus refused to bow down to Satan who is a fallen angel, and having overcome this temptation, God instead sent His angels to bow down (minister) to Him.

 

 

Temptation is All Around

 

It can be seen from the above examples that temptations need not be something serious, like accepting a bribe or committing adultery. It can be just a doubt or a wrongful thought which would then open the door to the devil. 

 

We must therefore be careful, and resist any temptation right from the start. Let us contemplate the following advice God gave to Cain before he murdered his brother Abel, and the comment of James on how we should resist the devil.

 

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” ~ Genesis 4:6-7

 

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ~ James 4:7