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Jesus is both God and man. As God, he is above all temptations but as a man, he could be tempted. His human side could feel pain and all the emotions that we feel. Jesus, to sympathize with man, had to endure and feel all that man does. How else can he relate to us, or help us through our problems? If Jesus could not handle being tempted by Satan then he would not have been able to minister to us. He would not have been worthy to take on our sin. He would have been in the same category as Adam and Noah.
Jesus knew about the test of temptation he would face with Satan. He knew that he was our only hope. So, he did what man should do, he prepared himself. How did he prepare for one of the toughest tests ever known? He fasted for forty days and nights. Fasting is always accompanied by prayer. Both these steps are crucial to preparing for battle with Satan. I admire his fortitude because I have trouble missing one meal let alone forty days and nights worth.
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.” Luke 4:1-2
We also should seek wisdom through the Holy Spirit when we prepare ourselves. Fasting and prayers are the best way to acquire direction from God. If you notice in the previous verse Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost and was led by the Spirit.
Satan knows all of mankind’s weaknesses and wastes no time in using them against the human side of Jesus. What are these weaknesses? How did Jesus overcome them?
Hunger
Satan knew that Jesus had not eaten for forty days and forty nights. So the first temptation, Satan, used on Jesus was hunger. He taunted Jesus to prove that he was the Son of God by turning stones into bread. After going without food, a normal human would have gladly done so, if they had the power. But Jesus had another weapon in his toolbox, that we also have, memorization of Bible verses. Again Jesus leads by example. We too should memorize verses to use when we are tempted.
“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:3-4
Angels
Satan took Jesus to the top of the Holy temple’s pinnacle. He dared Jesus if he was truly the Son of God to jump from this great height. He taunted, if you are the Son of God angels will save you. Again Jesus reflected Satan’s darts by quoting Bible verses.
” Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Matthew 4:5-7
Greed and Power
Two of mankind’s greatest weaknesses are the need to gain all the money and power we possibly can. Once we achieve a little, we want more. We are never satisfied. Satan knows these weaknesses and appeals to Jesus’ human side. He showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth and all that was in them. All Jesus had to do was get on his knees and worship Satan. Jesus again used Bible verses against Satan.
“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 4:8-10
Satan must have thought very highly of himself because as the Son of God, everything was already his. Satan had nothing that Jesus needed.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm24:1
“All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:15
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
Stand Up for Jesus Christ 