Temptation: Preparing for God's Best

Luke 4:1-13(14a)

What is the BEST that God has for you - and me?
To be happy?
To be wealthy?
To be Trouble-Free?
To fulfill yourself?

How about this:
To know God,
to Worship Him in Spirit and Truth,
to find our deepest humanity in Him,
To reflect His image,
And to participate with him in the work of redeeming the world.

Sounds pretty good, right? So, how do we do this?
Sign up for a class?
Read some books,
Write a term paper?
Maybe go on a retreat? ...

How about - all the above - but add these to the personal work of transformation that God wants to do in us, a work of the heart, not only the head, - a work that can only be accomplished by teaching life lessons - some of which involve Temptation.

Now usually we see Temptation as something to be avoided and feared. Jesus even taught us to pray: 'lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil'...
Temptation is in fact a solicitation by the Evil One to get us to do wrong.
So we - not incorrectly -see Temptation as something bad.

However, in our Gospel lesson today we see Jesus practicing a different attitude towards his own temptation. Let's look at the text from Luke 4:

Verse 1and 2: And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil...

Jesus had just been baptized - and the Holy Spirit had descended upon Him like a dove. He was full of God, full of the Holy Spirit. And a voice came out of heaven saying, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased”( Luke 3:22). He was affirmed by God the Father audibly and his standing with God could not have been better.

And yet, the very next thing that happens is that Jesus is led by the very same Holy Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days!
Like my daughter Leslie might say, "What's the 'dealio'?!"

Well, the dealio seems to be that God had a mission for Jesus to accomplish.
Remember John 3:16? God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
That mission pitted him against the devil's plans for the human race - to kill us and to pull us down to hell where he could torment us forever.

In order to be prepared for this Mission, Jesus spent 30 years in obscurity, being trained in the righteous habits of Jewish life. Of course, this life revolved around the Law of God - the Torah, which includes the Law proper , the prophets, the wisdom literature - and especially the Psalms, which Jesus would have prayed daily. This training would have allowed Jesus to be able to say with the Psalmist, "Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:11). Daily immersion in God's Word would have produced not only head knowledge, but a heart appreciation and Love for God the Father, and for the Spirit.

(One does have to wonder if Jesus - being the Logos, the Word of God himself would have had to memorized Scripture like the rest of us, or perhaps just knew it inwardly from the beginning...)

Intimate knowledge of God's Word would have led Jesus to see that God intends Life and Blessing for us - and that the Law of God is just that - a Great Blessing for God's people, leading to Life.


He most emphatically would not have seen the Law as a series of Rules to be observed legalistically. He shows us this later on as he castigates the Pharisees for setting themselves up as arbiters of just such a legalistic approach to Jewish life.

No, Jesus loved the Law and knew it led to God's Best for humanity - Life and Blessing.

Armed with this intimate knowledge of God and trust in Him, he allows himself to be led out into the desert to fast and to be tempted by Satan.

Of course, the Lenten fast is an imitation of this Jesus Fast in the wilderness.
And just as Jesus was tempted by the devil, so we too can expect to be assaulted by old Cloven Hoof. But we need to understand what Jesus understood about Temptation: that it does not come to us because God hates us or is trying to trip us up so he doesn't have to give out too many tickets to Heaven, but rather -that God allows Temptation comes to us through Satan, so that, like Jesus, we may be purified and prepared for our own mission up ahead: participating with God in redeeming the world.



So why Temptation? Why not just an elaborate video game where you just play it over and over until you master the levels - and where if you die, your character just comes back to life digitally?

I think it has to do with the exalted place of Human Beings in God's Scheme.
You see, most of the time, we humans are so intent on avoiding pain and creating comfort for ourselves that we fail to comprehend the privilege that God has bestowed upon us: to be co-heirs of the Grace of Life, co-regents with him - and better yet - Friends of God!

This is a very high calling! It's one so exalted and full of import, that we would much rather avoid it most of the time, and settle for something in life that would put us just slightly above the family dog - happy, well-fed, free from hard choices, and blissfully unconcerned about 'The Meaning of Life".

Temptation comes to ask the question,"Do you want to be LIKE GOD - or to you want to settle for something smaller?

If you want be LIKE GOD, it's not going to be easy. We as humans have a lot of baggage to overcome. In Psalm 51, David says, 'Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.(v.5)

Being born into sin means that we 'miss the mark' by default. It's our natural setting - what we do without training or thought.

Righteousness, however, takes preparation and training - as well as constant practice to keep up the skill. And there are always new lessons to learn!
That's why we God allows Temptation - to purify us, to train us - and to prepare us for God's Best: Participation in the Divine Nature and Mission.

Now, that does not mean that we are to seek out temptation. No need to go to the dog track and hang out to see if you can resist the temptation to gamble - or worse. Nor is there any reason to think that God is the author of our sufferings when we are tempted and fail. NO - James 1:13-15:

13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Our own inner rottenness sets us up to be tempted. This is what theologians call 'concupiscence" - an intense desire, longing, lust or passion. The word itself comes from the Latin, combing the prefix 'con' or 'with', plus 'cupid' or 'sexual desire', along with 'essere', or essence - a state of being.

Concupiscence is the translation from the Greek epithumia, which simply means a strong desire.

If you want to know what Concupiscence looks like in real life, just think about Tiger Woods. Here's a guy who already has a beautiful wife and two kids, more money than he knows what to do with, and Talent on Loan From God! The guy has it all. But apparently, he just couldn't keep from wanting more - which in this case has led to him having less; less of a marriage and family, less money, and less reputation in the world. It's crazy!

But that's the nature of Sin - choosing to pursue a strong desire, long, lust or passion, even though it doesn't make a bit of sense. In a word, Sin is the choosing Second-Best.

This brings us back to the nature of Temptation - which is an opportunity to choose between God's best or Satan's second-best. If we choose God's way, we are strengthened by the struggle and better prepared for what lies up ahead. Choose Satan's way, and we find ourselves falling into a pit of death and destruction.

Two Biblical Examples.
To illustrate the real-life outworking of this choosing, let's compare and contrast Sampson and Ruth.

Sampson was a spoiled brat, the product of an elderly couple who knew their son was going to be great shakes in Israel. As he grew up, he must have gotten everything he wanted because when it came time to choose a wife, he said to his parents:“I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” (Judges 14:2).

Go get her - just like that - even though she's a Philistine!

Verse 3: But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”

I want her - now go get her for me! Pretty cheeky!

Now the passage does say that God was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines - but the results of Sampson's concupiscence were that he ended up having to kill 30 men and his wife was given to another. And all this even before he meet up with Delilah! I think we know the rest of that story well enough to realize that Sampson's lust led to his death.

Again, even though God used his failure to strike Israel's enemies, who can know what God might have done through Sampson had he lived out his Nazrite vows, and chosen God's best for his life?

Contrast him with Ruth, a Moabite woman who had married an Israelite, but was widowed early in life. Because of her love for her mother in law, Naomi, Ruth utters the famous lines, often repeated at weddings:

“Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16).

Out of loyalty, Ruth leaves her own country to return to Israel with Naomi. When they get there, Naomi coaches Ruth about how to present herself to Boaz, their 'kinsman-redeemer', so that they may be married. In effect, Naomi tells Ruth, "Go get him!" -which she does. The result of Ruth's obedience and loyalty is that she marries Boaz, father of Jesse, father of David, father of ...Jesus Christ!

Ruth could have legitimately stayed in Moab and sought a husband from her own people. That's what her sister in law did - and it was alright. But look at this for a moment as a Temptation - the temptation to choose between what appears to be right in the eyes of men and what the Lord must have been calling her to do. Because Ruth was faithful and met the temptation head-on she was prepared for inclusion into the people of Israel and of becoming a great grandmother to Jesus himself!

Meeting temptation successfully prepares us for God's Best - something exceedingly better than anything we can ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20).

Jesus mets his temptation successfully and he was prepared for his ministry - his death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God the Father - a pretty good reward for faithfulness!

He resists the temptation to fulfill his own bodily hunger, and instead trusts God for his daily bread.

He resists the temptation to grab worldly power and instead becomes King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And he resists the temptation to test God, and instead puts the Evil One to flight, just as James says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

Jesus met each of these temptations successfully, and as a result, 'returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee' (Lk.4:4) to begin his ministry. And we are the benefactors - for ever and ever and unto the 'ages of ages' as the Orthodox would say.

Let's go back now and highlight the circular pattern Jesus went through:
Full of the Holy Spirit,
He was Led by the Spirit
He was tempted by an Evil Spirit, and
He returned full of the power of the Holy Spirit. (Lk. 4:14)

Thus Christ's Temptation was a prelude to ministering in the power of the Spirit. If we are steadfast, our temptations too can become prelude to greater fruitfulness and more powerful ministry.


What to Expect
The old saying goes, Fore warned is fore-armed. What can we expect in the midst of Temptation? Subjectively we can expect to feel:
1) Consternation: Questioning What is happening to me? Why?
2) Feeling alone and isolated.
3) Desperate, wondering if you will ever get out of this? Will it last forever?

But along with the subjective fears and trepidations, we can also expect to be comforted and blessed.

1Cor, 10:13: says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

You're not alone. Others have gone through similar things. God is your way of escape. Run into Him, and you can endure through the temptation, not just run away.

James 1:2-4:
Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.' Verses12-14 of the same chapter: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

The Crown of Life comes to those who remain steadfast - just like Jesus did!

We can expect to be driven to the Word for comfort, strength, and for 'ammunition'.

Eph. 6: 10-18. (Notice the emphasis on God's Word and the power of the Spirit):

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Meeting temptation successfully requires us to be armored up and full of prayer.

Because of our increased devotion to prayer during trial and temptation, we can also expect to see remarkable answers to our prayer, sometimes even humorously.
Story: A number of years ago, a single friend told me about her struggle with a relationship she was having. She was very strongly attracted to this gentleman, but inwardly she had some reservations. She told me that she had been praying about it and the Lord answered her prayer in a funny way.

The man friend came in from out of town and the couple were at my friend's place for the evening. She had wanted to create a romantic atmosphere so she had placed candles all over the place. After a nice dinner, they became engrossed in an inspection of her Simmons Beauty Rest Mattress. Somehow along the way, one or more of the candles was turned over, but they didn't notice because they were otherwise occupied.
All of a sudden, flames began to shoot up from dust ruffle and they suddenly realized the merits of a water bed! Well, the smoke detector went off and they jumped up in shock. My friend grabbed a small fire extinguisher and her friend grabbed a nearby bottle of water - and they went to work dousing the flames. In a matter of moments the fire was out, but the bed was a sodden, smoldering mess - and the evening literally went up in smoke. - And that was the end of that relationship. Prayer answered!

It was an absurd way to learn the lesson, but my friend was built up in her faith and she become 'battle-hardened' - ready to take on the next temptation.

By meeting temptation successfully, we can expect to be prepared for:
Increased effectiveness in ministry, and
Further battles - they get harder - but the miracles are greater!

One of the reasons for this is that Satan typically 'overplays' his hand. At some point, the adversary uses too much power, reveals too much, so that one who is spiritually sensitive can see what is going on. The enemy drops the fancy disguise and lashes out in rage, startling us into an awareness of the evil we are confronting. The flames leap up and everything becomes clear!

But thanks be to God, the most wonderful thing we can expect is to have the Presence of God with us. Jesus said in Mt. 28:20, ..." behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is our 'Ace in the Hole' during temptation - knowing that God is with us and will never forsake us.

Friends, Temptation does not come from God, it's not God's first choice for us. Temptation is a solicitation from our Enemy to choose second best and so use our God-given freedom for our own harm. But God, in his wisdom, knows how to turn even the temptation to evil into a good thing for our benefit.

Jesus showed us the way to resist Temptation successfully. It has all to do with being full of God's Word and Spirit. If we imitate Jesus in these two things, and call out to Him for help in the midst of our struggle, He will help us, and use the temptation to make us stronger for His kingdom.

May God grant us grace to appropriate the gifts he has given us in order to successfully meet and overcome every temptation. In the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.