"I can resist anything except temptation", goes the old saying. Well, temptations are sure to come, and some are even brought to us by the Spirit of God.

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

Fresh from the exhilarating rush of His baptism, infilling of the Spirit, and confirmation by the voice of God (Matthew 3:16-17), Jesus was immediately led into the wilderness to eventually encounter the ultimate enemy and tempter. And, as is always the case, the temptations in themselves seemed harmless enough.

The problem with temptation isn't so much about the WHAT as it is the WHY. Why I am being enticed to pursue a certain course of action? What is the motivation?

The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness offers valuable insight into the forms of temptation we face. As you'll notice from each of the three temptations offered to Jesus, none of them in themselves appeared to be particularly evil. After all, what would be wrong with turning a few stones into bread (Matthew 4:3), or seeking angelic protection from a perilous jump for the temple heights (Matthew 4:5-6)? The real problem, however, centered on who was directing the activities.

Motive is the trickiest issue of all, and the easiest cause for stumbling. Two people can participate in the same act of service, but it is detrimental for the one all the while that it is the "fruit" of spiritual motivation for the other. Cain and Abel both brought sacrifices to God, but motive caused God to prefer Abel's while showing no regard for Cain's (Genesis 4:3-5).

Perhaps the best method for dealing with temptation is to look below the surface and consider the issue of motivation. Is this course of action, however innocent in appearance, directed by the Spirit of God, personal selfishness, or by the tempter himself? Who is in control if I take this action?

It is the nature of temptation for it to appear innocent. And it can even come packaged with spiritual wrapping! The devil uses Scripture as the basis for appealing to Jesus with his second temptation (Matthew 4:6), so it should not surprise us that some of our greatest temptations will be accompanied by convincing biblical references. But, once again, the real issue is motivation.

Jesus battled temptation with Scripture. The surest way to overcome that which would trip us up is to be as close to the word of God and the Spirit of God as possible. Our instincts will often deceive us, but the word and the Spirit are the surest safeguard.

Stand strong against the devil's schemes by standing strong today in His word and Spirit.

Steve

© 2010, Steve Taylor