Temptation is something we all face. It comes in many forms—subtle, seductive, persistent—and often targets us where we’re weakest.
Does it mean there’s something wrong with us, with our faith, if (when) we face temptation? No, it means we’re human. God gave us free will so we could choose to be in a relationship with Him. The downside of that responsibility, though, is that we are allowed to make bad choices, which I do more often than I wish I did. How about you?
So how should we respond when temptation jumps out from behind the bush directly in front of us? Scripture gives us two contrasting examples: Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and Jesus in the wilderness.
Two Encounters, Two Outcomes
In the first two chapters of Genesis, God creates the world and all the living things in it, and then He makes the pinnacle of His creativity: Adam and Eve. God declares it all good, and everything is awesome. The first humans get to hang out in paradise with God.
Sadly, though, it only takes until the third chapter for the wheels to fall off the paradise bus. In Genesis 3, we see Adam and Eve encounter temptation through the cunning of the serpent:
“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
With just a few words, Satan introduced doubt, reframed God’s command, and focused Eve’s attention on what was forbidden. Eve and Adam were surrounded by abundance, yet the enemy drew their focus to the one thing they couldn’t have.
Tragically, they gave in. They listened, rationalized, and acted on the lie.
Fast forward to Matthew 4. Jesus, after 40 days of fasting, was physically at His weakest. And right at that moment, Satan attacked Him.
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Satan tempted Jesus with food, pride, and power—each one targeting a genuine human need or desire. And yet, Jesus did not yield.
Why not?
Jesus Didn’t “Cheat”
I used to think Jesus had an advantage we don’t have—that being fully God, He couldn’t possibly fall into sin. But if that were the case, what would be the point of recording His temptation?
Hebrews 4:15 gives us a critical insight:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Jesus was fully God, yes. But He was also fully human. He felt hunger. He experienced fatigue. He faced the same kinds of temptations we do—but He resisted.
Rooted in Truth
So how did He do it?
Every time Satan presented a temptation, Jesus responded the same way: with Scripture.
“It is written…” “It is also written…” “Away from me, Satan! For it is written…” – Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 (NIV)
Jesus didn’t reason with the devil. He didn’t weigh his options. He didn’t rely on feelings or circumstances. He stood on the truth of God’s Word.
Even when Satan twisted Scripture to serve his own ends, Jesus knew the full context. He discerned the lie behind the half-truth.
Standing on God’s word, Jesus was able to rise above the gravitational pull of temptation and resist Satan’s strategic justifications.
Why This Story Matters
Jesus’ temptation isn’t just a historical account. It’s a model for how we should handle temptation in our own lives.
Jesus came to show us that resisting temptation is possible. He didn’t just resist as God—He resisted as a man empowered by the Spirit and armed with the Word.
And if He could do it without relying on His God-ness, so can we.
Our Strategy for Resistance
Paul offers a practical framework in Ephesians 6: The Armor of God.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Just as Jesus wielded Scripture in the wilderness, we are called to do the same.
When temptation strikes:
Refuse to entertain it.
Recognize it for what it is.
Refute it with Scripture.
Not Behavior Modification
There’s something I want to make sure is clear: the point of following Christ isn’t behavior modification. God isn’t interested in robotic obedience or sinless performance for its own sake. His desire is for our hearts. As I wrote in last week’s blog, the reason God calls us to resist sin is because He wants freedom for us—not bondage. He wants us to enjoy paradise with Him, at peace and unencumbered by sin.
Sin entangles us. It lies to us. It draws us into shame and chains us with guilt.
But God’s love doesn’t disappear when we make bad choices. Like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), God waits patiently, watching the horizon for our return. The moment we return to Him begging to be forgiven, He runs to meet us, overflowing with grace, forgiveness, and restoration.
Conclusion: Learning from the Second Adam
Where Adam failed, Jesus prevailed. Jesus, often referred to as the “Second Adam” in Christian theology, came to undo what the first Adam had done.
Adam was surrounded by paradise, full and nourished—yet he fell.
Jesus was alone in the desert, hungry, and weak—yet He stood firm.
Why? Because He was rooted in the Word and led by the Spirit.
So the next time temptation comes your way, remember: you’re not powerless. Jesus showed us how to fight back. We just need to be ready to reach for our sword.
Call to Action: Practice the Pattern of Resistance
Temptation is inevitable, but defeat isn’t.
This week, take time to:
📖 Identify your most common temptations. 📘 Find at least one Scripture verse to counter each one. 🙏 Ask Jesus to give you the strength to resist, just as He did. 🛡️ Put on the full armor of God daily—and don’t forget your sword!
💬 Have you ever faced a moment when Scripture helped you resist temptation? Share your story in the comments—we grow stronger when we learn from each other!
Master's Canvas - Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter 