“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’’” (Matthew 4:4, NKJV)

It was essential for the One who would save us from our sins to face the temptation to sin. How else could He defeat the devil? How else could He sympathize with our weaknesses? We are all tempted, but Jesus was tempted to the nth degree. We may be tempted by our own flesh or by the world, but Jesus was tempted by Satan himself. We are tempted every day, but Jesus was only tempted after going forty days without food. When we are tempted, we have others around us, helping us to resist, but Jesus was alone. And yet Jesus succeeded where every other person has failed. How did He do it? Three times Jesus was tempted, and three times He said, “It is written.” Jesus knew the Word of God, and He used it to overcome every temptation the devil could throw at Him.

In the first temptation, the devil wanted Jesus to use His supernatural powers to satisfy His ravenous hunger. This was an appeal to the lust of the flesh. But Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, saying that there is more to life than eating food. Food is for the body, but the Word of God nourishes and sustains the spirit. Is it true for us? Do we crave the Word of God like we crave our next meal.

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2–3, ESV)

In the second temptation, the devil enticed Jesus to jump off the top of the temple to prove to everyone that He was the Son of God. It was an appeal to pride. How many people have been infected by the disease of conceit? We are never more like Satan than we are lifted up in pride over others. But Jesus replied, “It is written, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”

In the third temptation, the devil offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world with all their wealth, comfort, power, and glory. There was only one condition: Jesus had to fall down and worship Satan. Now we shudder to think of worshiping Satan, but when we allow some idol to draw us away from obeying God, then isn’t that what we are doing? Jesus said, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” To overcome temptation, we must be aggressive with the devil. We must wield the sword of the Spirit, which is Word of God, and then say, “Get behind me, Satan!”

We are all tempted. But Jesus gave us an example of how to overcome temptation. The more we steep ourselves in the Word of God, the better equipped we will be to stand strong in the evil day. Then the very temptation that the devil intends to ensnare us will strengthen us to obey God.

“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.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)