Temptation is something we face often, it is also something Jesus faced.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.  And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” ⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4

I have read this passage many times in my life. This time I saw some new things I had not seen before now.

Jesus had been fasting for forty days and forty nights. That is over a month without eating food. Jesus was fully God, but He was also fully man. His physical body had to be starving.

Satan, knowing this was an area of weakness right now, wasted no time using that point of weakness to tempt Jesus. Share on X

First, he approaches Jesus by saying, “IF You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” He knew Jesus was beyond hungry. He knew Jesus had the power to turn those stones into bread.

Jesus did not need to turn those stones into bread to prove He was the Son of God like satan implied. So the temptation was the food, but it was also the temptation to take his circumstances into his own hands and to provide His own solution, instead of waiting on God.

Does this sound familiar at all?

I have lost count of the times, I have come to the Lord, burnt out and frustrated., only for Him to tell me the problem is I keep taking things into my own hands instead of surrendering and waiting on Him.

It is one of those subtle temptations satan likes to use on us. He knows we are tired, hungry, frustrated, and impatient. He is exactly like that lion that lies hidden, waiting for that moment when his prey is weak, and he pounces.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ” 1 Peter 5:8

We need to be alert and just like Jesus, we need to go to the word of God to push back against the enemy. We don’t have to give in to temptation.

“I have stored up your word in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 (ESV)

We need to store up God's Word in our hearts for those times of temptation. Share on X

When Jesus spoke these words to satan, He was telling him that God’s Word was enough to sustain Him until God provided the food for him physically. He trusted God with His hunger and that need. He put His reliance on God, not himself or the enemy.

A few weeks ago, I shared that I was praying that I would trust God confidently. I see here in this place of temptation, Jesus trusted God confidently. I want to be like Jesus.

I want to know my Heavenly Father's heart so deeply, that my response to whatever the enemy throws my way is His Word and sends the message to satan that I trust my Heavenly Father confidently. Share on X

I pray we would store up God’s Word in our hearts every day and that we would trust Him, knowing His Word is enough to sustain us and get us through as we wait on that need to be met.