Temptation can feel isolating. When we face temptation, we often think we are all by ourselves. We feel shame for being tempted and feel as if no one can understand what we are facing. We may feel isolated, but we are not alone. Scripture teaches us that Jesus Himself faced temptation and never gave in to the temptation He faced by sinning. Because of this truth, He can relate to our struggles when temptation comes. Even more, He has set an example for us of how to respond when temptation comes.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus knew what it was like to face temptation in Hebrews 4. Before referencing Jesus' temptation, he explained in this chapter that Jesus is our High Priest. In the Old Testament, high priests were required to go before God and ask for forgiveness on behalf of the rest of the Israelites. People could not go directly to God and ask for forgiveness. Everything changed with Jesus. When Jesus came, He became our High Priest, who offers His people forgiveness through His death on the cross for our sins. Even more, the writer of Hebrews explains that Jesus not only acts as our High Priest and offers forgiveness through His blood that He shed on the cross, but He also understands what it is like to face temptations. According to the writer of Hebrews, Jesus "understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin" (verse 15). When Jesus came to earth and took on human form, He learned what it was like to be tempted. Therefore, he can relate to the struggles we feel when we face our own temptations.
We can read all about Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4. Three times, Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Each time Satan tempted Him, Jesus quoted Scripture related to the temptation He was facing. Never once did He ever give in to sin. What an example He set for us!
Scripture is a tool for us when it comes to the temptations we face. It gives us guidance in the areas where we feel tempted. We have to know Scripture to know what it says about our temptations. That means we must read our Bibles to know what Scripture says regarding our temptations and memorize it. Only then can we successfully fight against these temptations that we are facing by quoting Scripture. The Bible is an incredible guide for us. May we know it, read it, and follow it every day of our lives.
What is a temptation that you are currently struggling with? Take some time to explore the table of contents in your Bible and find a verse that addresses the temptation you are facing. Memorize that verse. Bring it to mind often. When temptation presents itself, recall the teaching from the Scripture that you have memorized. Let this verse help you say "no" to that temptation when it comes.
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread."
4 But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say,
'People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
'He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'"
7 Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the Lord your God.'"
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 "I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will kneel down and worship me."
10 "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say,
'You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.'"
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus."
