Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
This first and direct encounter with the adversary of souls, after Christ’s baptism contains very important points for us to consider in our own battles against invisible foes. The history of Christ’s wilderness experience is fraught with instructions, so as to guide us when we too are tempted.
There are also issues for us to consider in gaining the victory, just as Jesus did, because He set us an example so that we can be behave intelligently, as it pertains to the battle for our minds. Foremost in this encounter is the fact that Jesus didn’t presume or volunteer to be tempted. Let’s read:
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Jesus was led by The Spirit of God to be tempted, as should always be the case if and when we too are to be tempted. Wherever possible Christians are under sacred obligation to strictly avoid every unnecessary encounter with devils, for this is presumption, and consequently, can lead to defeat.
When we knowingly place ourselves on enchanted ground, without God bidding us to do so, where the forces of darkness are firmly entrenched, then our vulnerabilities would certainly be exploited, and the result is most often defeat. Jesus, in His model prayer asked God “to lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”, which tells us that known, unnecessary temptations are to be shunned under all circumstances, except God bids us, as He did with Christ.
Persons who have drinking problems must avoid all venues where liquor is being served and consumed, because a tremendous gravitational pull would be exerted against such individuals. Again, South Beach on a Saturday night will be a poor choice for those who are struggling with porn, because the fires of lust will be kindled by scenes of nudity and flirting.
And there are also intellectual temptations that are tailormade for deep thinkers. To enter, unbidden by God into debate with a known clairvoyant, or with a philosopher who is a known skeptic, infidel, or who is an avowed atheist or satanist, will open the door for devils to take control of our minds.
Such discourses are generally productive of evil, for we cannot win any argument with devils, since they are much more intelligent, and knowledgeable than we are. It will be much better for us to put our little tails between our legs, by avoiding such encounters, for the Bible warns Christians against getting into a debate that only fosters strife. Let’s read:
2nd Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
When an earnest seeker for truth asks us questions, we may respond in the positive by bringing to bear those passages of scripture that would shed light on the topic in question. But for us to enter into debate just for argument’s sake would accomplish nothing, for not a single soul was ever saved by argument. However, from time to time, as we grow in grace it becomes necessary for our faith to be tested. In the case of Jesus, it was to gain the victory in behalf of man, why the wilderness experience was necessary. In Job’s case it was to clear up grave misconceptions and insinuations put forth by satan, and also for Job to grow.
In our case it may be to certify our decision to go all the way in obeying Christ through deliberate choice because anyone who enters into a relationship with The Lord must do so willingly, not being pressured or coerced to serve Him. But whatever may be the case, let it always be said that if we are tempted, it was The Spirit who led us.
Another point for us to consider is that the devil is an opportunist, and he will tempt us at our weakest points, just as he did with Christ who was, up to this time, at His weakest point physically. After fasting for forty days and nights, the lack of food had taken its toll and acute pangs of hunger came upon Christ with intensity. Let’s read:
Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
Every true Christian should be keenly aware of his or her strengths and weaknesses, nor for bragging rights, nor for buckling under temptation, but so as to have an intelligent understanding of our constant need of Christ. We are often tempted at our weakest point, for the devil doesn’t usually waste time tempting us on the things which have no appeal. If there is no desire existing in the heart, then temptations lose their sting, and any effort on the point in question would most likely be futile. Hence the reason why we must be aware of our weak points.
Devils have an accurate account of each temptation which was brought to us in bygone years, and which ones we succumbed to. And thus, they would often reference this hitlist whenever they are frustrated with a person’s faithfulness, or whenever they are permitted to tempt us.
There are temptations which faze us, which may not faze others. With some food is a biggie, where some may struggle with some dietary indulgence such as ice cream, candy, chocolate, or twinkies. These may not be sinful in and of themselves, but because we may have a sweet tooth, we can be tempted to go overboard in indulgence.
Others, like David are not fazed by ice cream, but girls or sensualism may shake them down. It is the will of God that we guard well the avenues of the soul, especially on those weak points by which the assaults of devils may gain ascendency. Let’s read:
1st Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man.
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Another important point for our consideration, in Christ’s wilderness experience, is that Jesus did not give a reasonable answer for His current condition, even when pressed by the devil. By those words “If thou be The Son of God” satan insinuated that the God of heaven would not allow His Son to suffer the pangs of hunger Jesus was experiencing.
Even though some may not be aware of it, this is one of the most common temptations brought to Christians especially, and with too great success. In his reasoning satan suggests that a divine being who claims oneness with God could never be brought so low as to be emaciated with hunger.
The servant of The Lord, in writing her exposition on the matter, expounds on the ways and means that were employed to unsettle the faith of Christ in His Father and in Himself. That often-repeated phrase “Where is God” which often comes after tragedies such as 9/11, is an echo of the very same mode of thought, uttered in the wilderness.
The reasoning is that if Jesus is one with God certain experiences and conditions would be off limits. And in our own experience, we may also be tempted to question our relationship with God, as Job did. We may be tempted to think that because we are the children of the Most-High that certain situations should never befall us.
This diabolical reasoning is often peddled in the preaching of the health/wealth gospel, where the adversity that befalls a Christian may be credited to a questionable relationship with God. But Christians and unbelievers do suffer adversity from time to time, just like anyone else.
The difference with Christians is that they are being led by The Spirit, and as such, whatever might come our way, be it good, bad or in between, it should be under the guidance of The Holy Ghost. Jesus was led by The Spirit, and as such whatever befell Him, was under the supervision of God.
But for us to think of ourselves as being above the adversities which affect other folk, just because we believe in God, would be a gross misunderstanding of what the scriptures teach on this point. We do have a refuge in Christ, but at times we would pass through the fire and the flood, in our journey to the kingdom.
The fairytale type of Christianity that is void of any adversity or disappointment is not what the Bible teaches. After listing the stunning victories and acts of the faithful in times past, the book of Hebrews reminds us that there were “others”, meaning that other believers had trials of no ordinary character, yet their faith in God was as solid as a rock. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephtha; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Abraham was being led by God when, in obedience to His word, he packed up everything he had and moved to the land of Canaan. But not long after, his entire encampment was threatened with starvation in so much that he was led by The Spirit to relocate temporarily in Egypt to weather the storm. Let’s read:
Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
Thus, it was with Job, when His friends reasoned that God would never permit a faithful, god-fearing man, to suffer as Job was suffering. And then the very next logical suggestion would be to question the status of his professed relationship with God. This reasoning is an echo of those words “If thou be the Son of God”. Let’s read:
Job 4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
[D.A pp 118>119] Would God treat His own Son thus? Would He leave Him in the desert with wild beasts, without food, without companions, without comfort? He insinuates that God never meant His Son to be in such a state as this. “If Thou be the Son of God,” show Thy power by relieving Thyself of this pressing hunger. A divine being would be able to sustain his claim by working a miracle; “if Thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” Such an act of creative power, urges the tempter, would be conclusive evidence of divinity. It would bring the controversy to an end.
This brings us to one of the issues we will have to grapple with as those prophecies predicted in the Bible are being fulfilled. The demand for conclusive evidence is what satan was clamoring for from Jesus and it is often the case that we will be tempted to provide conclusive evidence for what we believe.
The question is: Should it be necessary for Christ to provide conclusive evidence, and is it necessary for us to also give conclusive evidence for a particular course of action God has instructed us to pursue?
One of the issues the remnant people of God would have to confront in these last days is the prospect of not being able to give a logical, satisfactory answer for the ways and means God has instructed us to employ, in dealing with the various adversities that are scheduled to overspread the world.
Logic is often tailored to be the diabolical enemy of faith and whereas we are instructed to give to every man a reason for the hope that is in us, there is not any guarantee that such reasons will make sense to an unbelieving mind.
Working a miracle just to prove His Divinity in this situation would accomplish nothing, for miracles, in and of themselves do not prove anything, because turning stones into bread is something devils may be able to do, at least apparently.
Thus, as a general rule of thumb, persons who may clamor for a sign before they believe would almost always need more miracles to continue believing, instead of taking the evidence of scripture as final confirmation, that’s why Jesus referred satan to “It is written.”
Furthermore, there are persons who would never believe, no matter how many miracles, signs, and explanations God may give. Some of the people in Christ’s day required a sign, just like satan clamored for miracles, but conclusive evidence did nothing to sway their minds in the direction of believing. Let’s read:
John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Mark 15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
There are some who might be struggling with the issue of the current pandemic, who might desire some sign from God in order to believe. But if God were to send an angel from heaven to heal many persons, there are doubts that could still arise. Thus, some may question whether the word of God, its promises and its assurances are sufficient for us to lean on, at such a time as this, or whether we should have back up, just in case.
Almost two years ago we raised the prospect of mandatory vaccinations across the U.S. as a result of Covid and his brethren stalking the land in high and low places. In those early discussions, the role of the church, and its subsequent actions were then brought into question, since we would be facing the prospect of following the leader, as directives come down from persons in authority.
But now as premonition and reality have converged, we could find ourselves in difficult positions in some cases, for the question will be: Should a Christian be forced to accept something in the name of science, if it has not been fully approved by the appointed agency tasked with such approval? And would the church then be forced to adopt such mandates in harmony with rendering unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s? And consequently, will persons be required to provide conclusive, rational evidence for their course of action if it is contrary to conventional wisdom on the matter in question?
Every one of us would have to make an individual choice in the matter, because we must know God for ourselves, just as Christ had known The Father as He endured the wilderness experience. It is worthy of note in the current situation, that one’s compliance will be tied to economic privilege, and the ability of some to work in certain instances.
Christ did not offer a rational explanation for His condition in the wilderness, and we may not be able to give a reasonable answer for the course of action we may pursue. However, if we are being led by The Spirit, that’s all that really matters, for at the end of the day, living under the guidance of The Spirit will make all the difference when the dust has settled.
Therefore, as our own wilderness experience begins to loom large on the horizon, it is the will of God that the course of action demonstrated by Christ should be adopted and followed by all who believe. Believers are not to place themselves unbidden into temptation and we must be led by The Spirit of God every situation.
Yet, the words of Christ in the wilderness should be ours as we endeavor to navigate and mitigate those adversities which would certainly be coming our way. In response to that first wilderness temptation Jesus uttered words of immortal truth which should form the basis for all our actions and decisions. Let’s read:
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
God bless!