Temptation. It’s not a matter of if we’ll face it, but when.
Luke 3–4 paints a vivid picture: Jesus is baptized, the heavens open, and the Father declares, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Immediately afterward, Jesus—full of the Holy Spirit—is led into the wilderness. For forty days He faces the devil’s testing, without food, weary in body, and seemingly at His weakest.
And yet, in His hunger and humanity, Jesus shows us what true strength looks like.
Temptation Always Finds Our Weak Spots
The devil doesn’t waste energy attacking where we’re strong—he comes for the cracks in the armor. Just like the Monty Python Black Knight, whittled down piece by piece, temptation chips away until we’re worn thin.
For Jesus, the weakness was physical hunger. For us, it might be grief, stress, late-night loneliness, or exhaustion. Temptation often comes when we’re least prepared.
And at its core, temptation is always about this:
Will we trust God…or take matters into our own hands?
The Three Temptations of Jesus (and Ours Too)
- Turn stones into bread (Luke 4:3–4)
The temptation of the flesh—meeting our own needs apart from God’s provision. We don’t like discomfort, so we numb it with screens, food, busyness, or distractions. But Jesus reminds us: “One does not live by bread alone.” - All the kingdoms of the world (Luke 4:5–8)
The temptation of the eyes—chasing power, possessions, and prestige. The devil whispers: “If you just bow down, you can have it all.” But Jesus resists: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” - Throw yourself down from the Temple (Luke 4:9–12)
The temptation of pride—forcing God’s hand, demanding proof of His care. But Jesus knows: we don’t need to test God to trust Him.
Each temptation sounds close enough to truth to feel reasonable. That’s why it’s dangerous. Temptation always twists God’s Word just enough to get us to doubt His character.
The Power of Identity
How did Jesus resist?
It wasn’t willpower. It wasn’t even His divine nature. It was His identity. Before the wilderness, He had heard the Father’s voice at baptism: “You are my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well pleased.”
That identity sustained Him. Even when empty in stomach, His heart and spirit were full of God’s presence.
And that’s true for us too. In baptism—or in the moment we realize God has claimed us—we are named His children. That identity is stronger than any whisper of temptation.
Living Free in Christ’s Victory
Temptation will still come. The serpent still whispers in the late-night hours, in the stress, in the grief. But here’s the good news: temptation has no final power over us.
Because of the cross, we live in Christus Victor—Christ the Victor. His victory is our victory. The Spirit within us gives power to say no when we feel weak, to trust when everything in us wants control, and to walk faithfully when shortcuts look easier.
As Paul reminds us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
A Word for You Today
Where are you tempted to stop trusting God?
Where do you feel weakest—grief, loneliness, stress, weariness?
Remember: Jesus has already walked this road. He knows what it feels like to be tempted. And He shows us that freedom is possible—not because we’re strong enough, but because He is.
Jesus is free from the power of temptation. And in Him, so are we.
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 