Considering Jesus in Temptation: Finding Hope to Overcome

Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and your hearts give up. Hebrews 12:2-3 (MEV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

i CAN OVERCOME temptationS I FACE if, like jesus…

1. I make __________________________________________________.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” ¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. ¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment… ¹⁷ a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)

So whether we live or die we make it our life’s passion to live our lives pleasing to him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 (TPT)

2. I choose ________________________________________________.

He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.  Luke 4:1b-2 (NLT)

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15 (NIV)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.  Galatians 5:16–17 (ESV)

3. I gain ___________________________________________________.

I don’t want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan’s scheming. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (GW)

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16 (NIV)

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

SATAN’S 3 TEMPTATIONS & GOD’S 3 WAYS OUT:

__________________ | __________________

____________________ | ____________________

________________ | ________________

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. Genesis 3:6a (NIV)

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. ²⁵ He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. ²⁶ He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Hebrews 11:24-26 (NIV)

After this, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.  Luke 4:2 (ISV)

4. I UTILIZE _________________________________________________.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

3 TOOLS JESUS USED TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION:

• God gives me the tool of ______________.

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  Matthew 4:2 (NIV)

…This kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21 (WEB)

• God gives me the tool of ____________.

However, he continued his habit of retiring to deserted places and praying. Luke 5:16 (ISV)

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  Mark 14:38 (NIV)

• God gives me the tool of __________________.

“Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.” Matthew 4:3-4 (MSG)

Then the devil led Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem and put him on a high place at the edge of the Temple area. ⁶ He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump off, because the Scriptures say ‘God will command his angels to help you, and their hands will catch you, so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.’” ⁷ Jesus answered, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Matthew 4: 5-7 (ERV)

Then the devil led Jesus to the top of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and all the wonderful things in them. ⁹ The devil said, “If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Get away from me, Satan! The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God.  Serve only him!’” Matthew 4:8-10 (ERV)

5. I REMAIN ________________________________________________.

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. Luke 4:13 (NLT)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)