The beginning of Jesus’s ministry could be called anything but inconspicuous. He was baptized by John which was very public. When He came out of the water the Holy Ghost sat upon Him in what appeared to be the form of a dove. The heavenly Father spoke from heaven and declared that Jesus was His Son and with Him He was well pleased. However, from there it would seem to go downhill. He was driven into the wilderness where He would fast for forty days and be tempted of the devil.
The Word of God records this in Luke 4:1-4, which reads:
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days, he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Temptation
The devil, also called Satan, tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. Here he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan is a fallen angel. He is real, not symbolic, and is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. Satan’s temptations are strong, and he is always trying to get us to live his way or our way rather than God’s way.
One day Jesus will reign over all creation, but Satan tried to force his hand and get him to declare his kingship prematurely. The devil’s temptations focused on three crucial areas:
1. physical needs and desires
2. possessions and power, and
3. pride.
Stand your ground
If Jesus had given in, his mission on earth—to die for our sins and give us the opportunity to have eternal life—would have been lost. But Jesus did not give in! When temptations seem especially strong, or when you think you can rationalize giving in, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God’s purposes for your life or for someone else’s life.
There is a law in some states that is called, “Stand your ground.” This law permits you to defend yourself and your property. God gave us a spiritual law that says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Count on it.
