Learning the Jesus Way of LifeSample

Passing the Test

Pray: Jesus, give me the faith to go where you go, do what you do, trust what you say, and love how you love. Today, I commit to following you. Amen.

Yesterday, we read about Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. Today, we’re going to read about Jesus’ battle in the wilderness. As we do, Jesus will teach us some very important lessons about how to prepare for and respond to the devil’s attacks.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1 NIV

Have you ever entertained the thought that, as long as you keep following Jesus, life will be good and you won’t get into trouble? If you have, you’re not the only one. It’s normal to assume that following Jesus will make our lives better. Because it does. But better doesn’t mean easier. In fact, the better way of life Jesus invites us into is often harder than our lives without Him. Jesus tells us, “... Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV).

The world wants you to believe you will find the “good life” by being true to yourself, doing what makes you happy, and following your heart. But Jesus says something radically different. He tells us that eternal life—the best, most-full kind of life—is found when we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.

That’s a much harder thing to do than just living life looking out for number one (yourself), because self-denial requires discipline. Self-indulgence (being true to yourself) doesn’t. Taking up your cross daily requires commitment. But doing what makes you happy is all about your own comfort. “Following your heart” is just another way of saying “let your feelings rule your life.” But following Jesus is choosing to let Jesus rule your life.

Life with Jesus is better—and harder—than life on our own.

When you follow Jesus, He will lead you into beautiful moments where you are showered by the love of the Father and comforted by the presence of the Spirit. And, when you follow Jesus, He will lead you into desolate places where you will be tempted by the devil and assaulted by sinful desires.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1 NIV

Immediately following His baptism, Jesus marched into battle. Not because He went off the path or was outside of God’s will, but because He was following the Spirit’s leading.

For most people, the beginning of their discipleship journey is filled with celebration, joy, hope, peace, and the overwhelming presence of God. It’s a string of mountaintop moments that are unlike anything we’ve ever felt before.

And, for most people, those initial feelings start to fade after a period of time. The presence of God doesn’t seem as close as it once was. The life-changing revelations aren’t happening as often as they used to. Some old struggles may start to return. Some bad habits try to make a comeback. The busyness of life starts crowding out the holy moments.

If you’ve ever found yourself in that place, you are not alone and there’s nothing wrong with you. Jesus is still with you. The Spirit is alive in you. The Father’s love has not left you.

But what do we do? How do we walk through the wilderness well? Well, how did Jesus prepare for His showdown with the devil?

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Matthew 4:2 NIV

He fasts for forty days and nights. Fasting is choosing to give up food for a period of time so we can grow closer to God. This kind of fasting is not a weight-loss strategy. While it may cause us to feel weaker physically, fasting strengthens us spiritually. The practice of fasting creates space for the Holy Spirit to help us say no to what we want now (food) so we can say yes to what we want most (God).

Jesus knew that going toe-to-toe with the devil in the wilderness would require Him to be at His strongest. It’s kind of like how professional UFC fighters throw themselves into grueling training camps in preparation for a big fight. Sure, those days of training take a toll on their bodies, but by the end of it, they are in peak condition to go into the ring and secure the victory.

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:3 NIV

The devil doesn’t attack Jesus with a pitchfork or a legion of demons. Because, contrary to what most movies and books will try to tell you, the battle between good and evil isn’t fought primarily with swords and shields; it’s fought with truth and lies.

When the devil strikes at Jesus, he attacks His identity as the Son of God and targets His desires for food with lies and deception.

It’s the strategy he’s been using from the very beginning. And it’s the strategy he will use to come against you. He will do whatever he can to trick you into doubting your position as a child of God. He will look for ways to get you to give in to your sinful and selfish desires.

Jesus shows us that the best way to combat the devil’s lies is with God’s truth by quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 NIV

This pattern plays out two more times—the devil attacks Jesus’ identity and targets His desires with lies and deception. And Jesus responds with the truth of God’s Word.

So, when you find yourself in the wilderness, under attack from the evil one, learn from Jesus. He shows us that the battle between good and evil is fought primarily with truth and lies, not swords and shields. Jesus shows us that the best way to prepare for these battles is through the practice of spiritual disciplines—habits and actions that make us more like Jesus. He shows us that the best way to overcome the lies of the devil is with the truth of Scripture.

Application:

1. After reading the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, read Deuteronomy 8:1–6. Pay attention to the parallels between God’s words to the nation of Israel and what Jesus experienced. What do you think is the significance of these similarities?
2. Take a step toward making Jesus’ habits your habits by practicing the spiritual discipline of fasting. Pick a day this week to give up food for a 24-hour period in order to grow closer to God. Let your cravings for food serve as a signal to bring your attention back to God by praying, “Lord, even more than I want _____, I want more of you.”

If you’re currently in a struggle with your relationship to food, fasting may not be the wisest option. If that is the case, choose something other than food to abstain from.