The Temptations Of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) Reflection & Meditation

The Temptations Of Jesus

Reflection and Meditation on Matthew 4:1-11


Temptations are evil influences from Satan deceiving us to do things that displease God. The temptations of Jesus teach us how these will appear in our life and how to deal with them. All temptations can be classified into three categories i.e. temptations of the body, temptations of the mind and temptations of the heart. Jesus teaches us that the only way to counter temptations is the word of God.

1st Temptation: Jesus is tempted to make bread from stones and thus do something contrary to the will of God. Jesus does not argue or debate but just quotes the word of God from the book of Deuteronomy (Deut. 8:3). This word of God was given to the people of Israel through Moses to remind them how they were unfaithful to God when faced with hunger in the desert.

2nd Temptation: Here Jesus is tempted to misinterpret the word of God. Psalm 91:11 promises that God will put his angels in charge of those who love him and they will even protect his foot from dashing on a stone. Jesus is being tempted to challenge or force God to act. It is a subtle attempt to control God’s decisions. Again Jesus does not argue or debate but just quotes the word of God from Deuteronomy (Deut. 6:16). This word was given to the chosen people through Moses to remind them how they challenged God to act when they had no water in the desert.

3rd Temptation: Satan is the ruler of the world. He acquired this kingship when he deceived Adam and made him his slave. Jesus has come to reclaim all that Adam has lost but he has to do the will of God which is to accept the way of the cross. Satan is offering an easier way out or a shortcut. Just worship me and get everything without any pain. He is the deceiver and the father of all lies. If Jesus bows before him he will become slave of Satan just like Adam. Jesus gives first place to God and rejects Satan’s offer. Here also Jesus does not argue or debate but just quotes the word of God from the book of Deuteronomy (Deut. 6:13). This word was given by God to the Israelites through Moses to remind them how they were unfaithful to God when they worshiped the golden calf in the desert.


1. Temptations of the Body
The body wants pleasure all the time. There are certain basic things which are necessary for the sustenance and protection of the body. These are food, clothing, shelter and rest. Other activities like leisure, exercises etc. are also helpful. All these things give satisfaction or pleasure to the body. However the devil tempts us to seek inordinate or excessive pleasure from these things beyond what is willed by God. When we act on the devil’s influences we displease God and thus commit sin. The devil also tempts us to gain these things in ways forbidden by God. It is the will of God that we do ethical work to acquire these things. The devil tempts us to choose the easier way and acquire our basic needs without doing any work. The capital sins of gluttony, lust and sloth are related to the body. Practices like abstinence and fasting help to discipline the wants of the body.

2. Temptations of the Mind
The mind wants to have control over everything. Here our focus is on intentions. The worldly knowledge tells us that if we have wealth, position, power and fame we can have control over every situation in our life or be masters of our own destiny. The devil will always try to confuse our understanding on the will of God by filling our mind with lies. The word of God teaches us about all things that please God and also about things that displease him. The devil will always deceive us to interpret the word of God in a manner that suits our liking. Therefore it is necessary to study the interpretation of the word of God from a reliable source. Often just focus on the gospel of prosperity without understanding the value of suffering leaves people in disillusion in times of adversity. God has promised to provide, protect, deliver and heal. However it is not given to us to decide the manner, time and place for God to act. God has also promised to make us perfect just like a refiner does to gold and silver with fire. Refining takes place only through suffering. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus clearly said “if any want to be my followers let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”. The cross is not just suffering of the mind and heart but of the body as well. The capital sin of pride is related to the mind. Only knowledge of the word of God can help us understand the will of God and thus allow him control over our life.

3. Temptations of the Heart
The heart wants love. The heart is created to contain love of persons and not things. We are called to give God first place and second place to other persons. All other things in creation are created for our good but not to get precedence over love of God and love of persons. When the heart is not filled sufficiently with the love of God there is some empty space. The devil offers cheap alternatives to fill this empty space. There are basically four things with which the devil deceives us to compensate for true love. These are love of wealth, position, power and popularity. When we love these things more than God and other persons we acquire these by doing things that are forbidden by God. The capital sins of avarice, envy, jealousy, hatred are related to lack of true love. Prayer fills us with the love of God.

The following things are forbidden by God. Acquiring wealth by immoral activities (cheating, bribes, dealing in sinful goods, etc). Acquiring position for self glorification and not as an opportunity to do good to others. Acquiring power to dominate and not for the good of others. Doing things to gain human approval or recognition and not the approval of God.


Conclusion:
Every person seeks happiness. We look for it in the things of the world. This happiness can be easily taken away from us. We are happy when we have these things. The moment we lose them we also lose happiness along with it. True happiness comes from a relationship with God. Once you have it nobody can take it away from you. To have a peaceful mind, a heart full of love and a body co-operating with the soul is true happiness.


This post provides detailed explanation of the three temptations of Jesus and how to deal with them successfully in our own Christian life.

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