After the Praise Comes the Temptation

Oct 30, 2022 | Devotional Meditations, Pastor's Blog

Matthew 4:1-11
Suggested further reading: Hebrews 4:14-5:5

Here is a major crisis point in our Savior’s life. Immediately after receiving God’s praise, He is tempted by the devil. The praise of the Father draws a sneering “if” from the devil. It is the same with Christ’s disciples: from great blessing we often fall into a great temptation. This should not surprise us for every minute of the believer’s life is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.

Temptations will come. We will have doubts, questions, and sinful thoughts against which we must fight vigorously. That Satan tempted Jesus should teach us that to be tempted is no sin since Jesus was tempted but remained sinless. But yielding to temptation is a sin.

Praise God that He has appointed for us a sympathizing Savior! Believers can comfort themselves with knowing that they have a Savior sympathetic enough to feel their weakness and powerful enough to deliver them from temptation.

Are you tempted to distrust God’s care and provision? So was Jesus. Are you tempted to presume on God’s mercy to deliver you from reckless behavior? So was Jesus. Are you tempted to commit a sin to avoid pain and gain some benefit? So was Jesus. Are you tempted to accept a misapplication of Scripture to excuse doing wrong. So was Jesus.

He is just the Savior that tempted believers require. Let us then flee to Him for help and spread before Him all our trials and pains. We will find His ear ready to hear, His heart ready to feel, and His power ready to deliver. He understands our pain. The Lord Jesus is not an austere, aloof Savior. He has suffered our weaknesses and temptations and is both able and willing to help us.

The Bible Church of the Lakes