“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus told him,“Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.” —Matthew 4:1-11

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provide an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)

We should

to face temptations.

“This is the real task of people, that we should hold our sin before the face of God, and count upon temptation until our last breath.” —St. Anthony

“After he had fasted forty days and forty nights…” (Matthew 4:2)

We should be

to face temptations.

The first temptation related to

and

Reveal Answer

.

“Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:3-4)

The second temptation related to

and

Reveal Answer

.

“Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.” (Matthew 4:5-7)

The third temptation related to

and

Reveal Answer

.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus told him,“Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” (Matthew 4:8-10)

“The greatest temptations are not those that solicit our consent to obvious sin, but those that offer us great evils masking as the greatest goods.” —Thomas Merton

1.
“Then the devil left him, and the angels came and began to serve him.” (Matthew 4:11)

God is with you and will

you in and amidst temptation.

“No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

“You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith - more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire - may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)

“And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)

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For further study:
Scripture: James 1:13-15; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 4:15, 11:7
Resources: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun

Community Group Guide:
1. Read through the passage in two different translations.
2. As you heard the Scripture, what stood out to you?
3. Do you expect temptation or are you shocked when it occurs?
4. How do you find be for you to prepare for temptation?
5. What aspect of Jesus’ temptation impacted you?
6. How has God strengthen you in and through temptation?
7. How does it feel to see the good and honor the pain in temptation?

To prepare for next week: Meditate upon John 17:13-19