Into the Wilderness, pt. 4—Duel in the Desert

Temptation: “A strong desire to have or do something even though you know you should not.”

Matthew 4:1-3 NIV
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

The Desert Duel—                                                                              

1. To provide for oneself by sacrificing ones own , , and .

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

“[Integrity is] Choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, and easy, and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.” —Brené Brown

Question for Reflection—
In what way have I tried to gain something while sacrificing my integrity, God-given identity, or dependency?

Matthew 4:5-6 NIV
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Even the quotes .

2. To use to God or others.

Matthew 4:7 NIV
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”

“Beware of surrender that is motivated by personal benefits. For example, “I’m going to give myself to God because I want to be delivered from sin,” or “because I want to be made holy.” Being delivered from sin and being made holy are the result of being right with God, but surrender resulting from this kind of thinking is certainly not the true nature of Christianity. Our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all. We have become so self-centered that we go to God only for something from Him, and not for God Himself… Gaining heaven, being delivered from sin, and being made useful to God are things that should never even be a consideration in real surrender. Genuine total surrender is a personal sovereign preference for Jesus Christ Himself.” —Oswald Chambers

Questions for Reflection—
1) Have I expected something from God or others in exchange for my “right” speech or actions?
2) How has my faith, or personal adherence, been misused as a means to control, belittle, or devalue others?

Why are people so inclined to go off the rails? (Morally, Ethically, Financially)

Jesus taught and modeled that—

• is not primarily for the benefit of the .
• is not primarily for the benefit of the .
• is not primarily for the benefit of the .

Matthew 4:8-9 NIV
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

3. To grasp for or .

Jesus established a Like No Other. A kingdom where the lays down his life for his subjects.

Matthew 20:28 NIV
For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Matthew 4:10 NIV
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

In Jesus Kingdom—

• • would be leveraged for the .
  • would be leveraged for those in .
  • would be leveraged for those without a .

Matthew 4:11 NIV
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

When we surrender our we receive God’s .

“In the wilderness Jesus faced different facets of the greatest temptation of the human experience—the temptation to trust in that which is not God for our security and survival, affirmation and approval, power and control.” —Ruth H. Barton

Question for Reflection—
In what actions or areas have I grasped for control and how is the Spirit inviting me to release it?

Answer Key: integrity, identity, dependency, devil , scripture, religion , manipulate , powerful, Power , powerful, Wealth, wealthy, Influence , influential, power , control, Kingdom , King, Power, powerless, Wealth, need, Influence, voice, control, strength