WILDERNESS: Overcoming Temptation
Pastor Brian Schafer
March 9, 2025
.

The Good News of Jesus begins in the Wilderness

.
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
.
.
3 Temptations Common to All Humanity (1 John 2:16)

1. Immediate Gratification and Escape from Reality. (Lust of the

)
2. The desire to appear wealthy and important. (Lust of the

Reveal Answer

)
3. The desire to gain power and control over others. (Pride of

Reveal Answer

)
.

In Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you can overcome any

Reveal Answer

.

Take your own notes here…

The enemy’s primary attack is in your

Reveal Answer

.

.
Take your own notes here…

.
Take an audit of your thoughts.
What percentage of your thoughts are consumed with criticism of yourself or of others? What percentage of your thoughts compare yourself to other people? How much time do you spend worrying about the future?

.
.
Your THINKING becomes a HABIT, and your HABIT becomes your

Reveal Answer

.
.
.
“Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.”” - 2 Corinthians 10:5
(This is what it looks like to allow Christ to rewire the neural pathways of your brain)
.

God’s Word + Holy Spirit + Community = Overcoming Temptation

.
In the wilderness, Jesus counteracts the

of the devil by turning His mind to the

Reveal Answer

found in God’s Word.
.
Take your own notes here…

.
3 Action Items:
(1) God’s Word: Start a Daily Bible Reading Plan. You can find one on the GCN Mobile App!
+
(2) Holy Spirit: When you read scripture, pray this prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit. Convict me. Guide me. Fill me.”
+
(3) Community: Join a LIFE GROUP or a SERVING TEAM. Moving from isolation to community is a big part of overcoming temptation.

.

If you are struggling with a hurt, hangup, or habit and would like to speak to a pastor, CLICK HERE and let us know. You are not alone!