Torn from the Pages of My Personal Journal

S – Scripture
Matthew 4:1-2
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.

O – Observation
Jesus faced the full brunt of Satan’s temptation.
Jesus faced every level and form of temptation we will ever face (see also Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus was fully God but also, mysteriously, fully man.
He had to face temptation in his humanness.
Satan didn’t tempt Jesus on day 1.
Instead, he waited until Jesus was at his weakest point (after 40 days of fasting).
Satan could have delivered on his promise to give rulership of the world.
This is Satan’s territory temporarily (See Ephesians 2:2 and 2 Corinthians 4:4).
Jesus used Scripture to resist temptation.

A – Application
We need to avoid temptation, especially when we are tired, weak, hungry, etc.
Jesus identifies with us. He’s been through everything we have and then some.
We need accountability, intentionality, and rest.
We need to remember that the enemy won’t attack us where we are strong, but where we are weak.
Those are the areas we must guard the most.
Satan has been at this a very long time.
But, we have the power of Christ in us and the word of God.
We need to put on the armor of God daily and prayerfully (Ephesians 6).
The battle is real. We need to take it seriously.

P – Prayer
Lord, help me to remember that I serve a Savior who went through Hell’s fury to save me. You have faced every trial and temptation I will ever face and then some. Help me to take spiritual warfare and temptation seriously—like my life depends on it. Forgive me for my failures. I never want to take you for granted. The cross wasn’t cheap. The least I can do is guard against temptation and live for you. During seasons of trial, help me remember to use the Word of God to battle any temptation that comes my way. Help my life to honor you. In Jesus name, Amen.