To be a growing, loving family, with Christ at the centre,
reaching out to all
Living the Jesus Way – Jesus in temptation and adversity
A.
Introduction
Though adverts often trivialize temptation, anyone who is alive and has a conscience knows that temptation is a
serious thing. It also seems to be fairly widespread, and has provoked a number of comments and quips:
Temptation is a woman’s weapon and man’s excuse. (H. L. Mencken)
The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it … I can resist anything except temptation. (Wilde)
We’re going to begin by looking at St Matthew’s account of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, and then look
at a number of Bible passages to help amplify how we might deal with the temptations which we face.
B.
The Temptation of Jesus Luke 4.1-13
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for
forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he
was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’
Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to
him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone
I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord
your God, and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you
are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning
you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a
stone.” ’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ When the devil had
finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.”
Questions
a) The temptations we face will almost certainly be very different from those which confronted Jesus; but
what can we take from his responses to temptation that might help us?
b) In each case Jesus said, ‘It is written,’ or ‘It is said,’ and quoted Scripture. Would we be able to do the
same? If not, does that suggest anything to you?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------C.
Other key passages
Matthew 6.13: And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
English versions of the Lord’s Prayer translate this verse differently, “And lead us not into temptation”. The Greek word
used here is peirasmos which rarely means ‘temptation’ in the sense of enticement to sin. It’s much close to testing.
Why do you think Jesus told his followers to pray that God would not bring them “to the time of trial”? How
often do we consciously make this part of our prayer?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Matthew 26.41: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is
weak.”
The scene is Gethsemane. Jesus has taken Peter, James and John with him as he goes to pray to his Father; but when he
comes back from praying ‘Let this cup pass from me, yet not what I will, but what you will’, they have fallen asleep.
What do you think it might mean in practice for us to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation”?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------James 1.12-16: ‘Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive
the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am
being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted
by ones own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin,
and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.’
It’s not unknown for human beings to try to shift the blame onto someone else: why might we try to blame
God, or anyone/anything else, when we find ourselves being tempted? What is your reaction to being told than
anyone who endures temptation is blessed?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 Corinthians 10.12-13: ‘So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has
overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your
strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.’
We need to read these verses in the context of James 1. God doesn’t tempt us; but what do you make of the
idea that he allows us to be tested? Is there anything positive in this passage?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Quote: We gain the strength of the temptation we resist. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Hebrews 4.14-16: Since, then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the
Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize
with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested, yet without sin. Let us therefore
approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of
need.
Christians often feel bad about being tempted, and worse if we’ve given way to it. What encouragement, and
what practical suggestions, can we take from these verses?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------D.
Prayer In some moments of silence please call to mind God’s love for you, and also the truth that Jesus –
having himself been tempted, yet without sin – understands what it us for us to be tempted. Thank God for the
encouragement to approach his throne of grace with confidence and boldness.
“If we follow a crucified Messiah, we shouldn’t expect to be spared the darkness ourselves. But we must, and
may, pray to be kept from its worst ravages” (Tom Wright).
In addition to any other praying members of the group may request or offer, please end this session by saying the Lord’s
Prayer together, pausing after each line, and paying particularly attention to “And lead us not into temptation”.