Tools (October 1)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
                           Matthew 4:1 NIV

This passage can give us comfort during our 'desert' times of challenge, trial, temptation and uncertainty. We know that this temptation from the devil was faced by Jesus as son of man, before he began his ministry as Son of God.

Satan, during this temptation, wanted to force Jesus into using His special gifts or tools as Son of God to face the temptation.  In this passage, we read of no such use of special gifts or tools.  Instead we read of Jesus fasting (I am certain he prayed too) and responding to the devil's challenge of turning rocks into bread by saying, "Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Jesus responded to the two other temptations with Scripture and with a statement to be gone and, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."

Jesus did not use any special powers, gifts, or abilities he might have used as Son of God during the temptation in the desert.  Instead, Jesus was victorious over the devil by using only tools that are available to all people.  The tools he used were fasting, prayer, the Spirit, and his knowledge of scripture. 

After the temptation, the devil left him.  I recollect an other translation that included the words 'for a more opportune time.'  The devil is always lurking.

Consider our reading in Job 1:7, of Satan's response to the Lord's question about where Satan had come from: "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

Jesus defeated the devil with tools that you and I have available.  We need to use the tools of prayer, fasting and being led, strengthened, encouraged, supported and protected by the Spirit.   We also need to recollect that God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent.  The devil only knows what God has revealed to him.  The devil is not omnipotent, nor is the devil omnipresent.

Consider God's strength and, like Jesus, rely on God's strength, his tools, not your own, when facing life's temptations. 

How do you face temptations?

What tools do you use to face temptations?  

Do you put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6)?

Pray for strength as you face life's daily temptations.

In Christ,

David P