Class Lesson April 23, 2023

2

The Temptation to Rely on Myself Instead of God

Question 1:

Which commercial or advertisement does the best job tempting you?

THE POINT

God’s provision is always better than what we try to get for ourselves.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Advertisers often make self-indulgence a part of their marketing strategies. We’ll be happier if we drive this vehicle or join this club. In recent years, instant gratification has become more than just a ploy to appeal to us; it has become a reality. The internet has redefined shopping. Media such as books and music can be downloaded and enjoyed immediately. Online purchases can often deliver the next day, and in some areas you can receive your order the same day. Instant gratification has become far more instant!

Advertisers were not the first to use this strategy. From the beginning, Satan has used instant gratification in his bag of tricks to entice us down a road we do not need to travel. He used it with Adam and Eve (Gen. 3), he tried it on Jesus, and he’ll try it on us. As we look at how Satan attempted it with Jesus, we can learn to trust God and what He provides rather than fall for the temptation to gratify ourselves.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Matthew 4:1-4

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

To place the temptations of Jesus in context, we need to remember that Matthew began his Gospel by presenting Jesus as the answer to Israel’s exile. Israel broke their covenant with God over and over again. Because of their sin, God removed them from the promised land. After seventy years, God allowed them to return to the land, but a fuller restoration was still to come. Matthew helps us to see that Jesus brought about that restoration by organizing the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to David, from David to the exile, and from the exile to Jesus (Matt. 1:1-17).

We could even say that this restoration of Israel included “a new exodus.” During His infancy, Jesus was taken by Mary and Joseph to Egypt before growing up in Nazareth. This fulfilled Hosea’s prophecy, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son” (Hos. 11:1). Jesus is the “new Moses,” and in Matthew 4, we see Him experiencing His own time in the desert. There He faced temptation, but unlike the Israelites, He obeyed. Interesting, too, that Jesus fasted in the wilderness forty days and nights, even as the Israelites were in the wilderness for forty years.

None of what happened to Jesus was accidental. “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (v. 1). This was God’s plan. With this plan, Satan found a way to tempt Jesus. After fasting for so long, we should not be surprised that Jesus was hungry. And Satan hoped to use that to his advantage.

Question 2:

What’s at stake when we are tempted?

Here is the nature of the temptation: “If you are the Son of God.” God has already declared Jesus to be the beloved Son, and Satan attacked at that point, as if to say, “Prove it!” Satan was trying to get Jesus to test the Father. Satan wanted Jesus to do as Israel had done and question God’s provision. It’s as if Satan was luring Jesus to wonder, “Will God really provide?”

Satan was questioning God’s goodness. If he could get Jesus to question the Father’s goodness, then Jesus would likely provide for Himself. Jesus had a choice: Trust the Father to provide for His every need, including food, or take matters into His own hands. There was an important issue at stake. To save humanity and bring restoration, Jesus had to fulfill all righteousness and live the life we could not. Unlike Israel in the wilderness, Jesus would not put God to the test. He had to face temptation as we do and not sin.

It was God’s Spirit who had led Jesus to this place, and He trusted the Father to provide all He needed. Citing from Deuteronomy 8:3, Jesus declared to Satan, “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” To obey is better than food.

Deuteronomy 8:2-5

2 “Remember that the Lord your God led you on the entire journey these forty years in the wilderness, so that he might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out, and your feet did not swell these forty years. 5 Keep in mind that the Lord your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.”

Because the Israelites didn’t believe God would deliver them, they failed to enter the promised land. As a judgment, God caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years until that disobedient generation died out. In the book of Deuteronomy, God prepared a new generation to enter the land. A key part of this instruction was to remind them of what He had done for them. It’s in this instruction we find the passage Jesus quoted. God reminded Israel of three things He had provided for them.

1. God provided guidance. “The Lord your God led you on the entire journey” (v. 2). While God sent them wandering in the wilderness for forty years, He never abandoned them. It’s important to remember that, even when we feel like we’re alone, God is with us.
2. God provided food. After Israel set out from Egypt, God promised to provide for them bread from heaven. This daily food was called manna (literally, “what is it?” [Ex. 16:15]). For forty years, God provided this bread each morning except the Sabbath. And yet, Israel continually put God to the test by complaining.
3. God provided for their material needs. Not only did God feed them, but He also clothed them. Miraculously, their clothing didn’t wear out in those forty years nor did their feet swell.

When you’re tempted to doubt God’s provision, what should you do? Remember! Look back over your life and consider how God has provided for you. There may be times with little, and there may be times with plenty, but God provides what you need when you need it. When we understand that God promises to provide for the basic needs of His people, we will be satisfied with His provision. We will, with the apostle Paul, know how to make do with little or with a lot.

Question 3:

Why is remembering so important in facing temptation?

Deuteronomy 8:6-10

6 “So keep the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams, springs, and deep water sources, flowing in both valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat, barley, vines, figs, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without shortage, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and from whose hills you will mine copper. 10 When you eat and are full, you will bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

Earlier, God had made a covenant promise to provide for His people. If they obeyed His word and kept His covenant, they would be His people, He would be their God (Ex. 19:5), and He would give them a land flowing with milk and honey (3:17). Now, as Moses prepared this second generation to enter the land, he reminded them to “keep the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him” (v. 6).

The benefit of being in a covenant relationship with God is seen in how He provides. God was bringing the Israelites “into a good land,” one that was both beautiful and bountiful. God would provide for their every need—if they kept the covenant.

Question 4:

What role do God’s promises play in our lives as Christians?

Keeping their part of the covenant was the challenge! They couldn’t do it. In fact, God told Moses that Israel would eventually break the covenant (Deut. 31:16-18). But Moses also told the people that when they turned back to God in obedience, God would restore them too (30:1-10). God would cause them to prosper once again, and they would love God with all their hearts and live.

Jesus kept the covenant for us. We fail miserably, but Jesus lived the life of perfect obedience we couldn’t. Jesus established a new covenant by His blood shed on the cross. The greatest provision God offers us is His own Son. When we come to God by faith in Christ, we are heirs of all God’s wealth. There is nothing He will hold back from us. This doesn’t mean we won’t experience times of lack. Sometimes God wants to teach us during those times. But God does provide all we need for life and godliness.

Question 5:

What can we learn from these passages about facing temptation?

PROVISION AND PRIORITY

Satan will actively tempt us, just as he did with Jesus. Use the space below to describe how the world views different provisions, and how God wants us to view them.

                                                The World             God

Money:

Time:

Friends:

Authority:

“We can be certain that God will give us the strength and resources we need to live through any situation in life that He ordains. The will of God will never take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”

BILLY GRAHAM

LIVE IT OUT

God’s provision is always better than what we try to get for ourselves. Choose one of the following applications:

A grateful heart. One of the ways we can battle against Satan’s temptations to doubt God’s provision is by giving thanks for all that God has provided for us. Take a moment to count your blessings and give thanks for God’s provision.

A trusting heart. God will provide as we trust Him. Between now and the time He provides, wait and trust. God will provide what you need in His perfect timing. Trust Him to strengthen your faith as you wait.

A generous heart. When we doubt God’s provision, we wish we had what others have. We can also be drawn to materialism. Generosity is the key to battling covetousness and materialism. As you trust God to provide what you need, be willing to give and be a conduit of His provision to others.

There are plenty of voices out there leading us to rely on ourselves. In some ways, self is the most subtle of gods. But if we’ll follow the example of Jesus, in His strength, we can overcome this temptation too. 

Teacher Notes:

Click Play to Watch

The devil’s temptations focused on three crucial areas:

1.    Physical needs and desires

2.    Possessions and power, and

3.    Pride

I heard about a boy who got frustrated with a Bozo Punching Bag that he got for Christmas. He would hit Bozo, and he would bounce back. He would kick Bozo, and he would bounce back. He told his dad, “I’m sick of Bozo.” His dad asked him why. He said, “Because no matter how I hit or kick him, he keeps bouncing back.” His daddy asked, “Why is that son?” The boy said, “Because there is something on the inside that won’t let him fall.”

When we fill our hearts with the Word of God, 

we have something on the inside that won’t let us fall 

and keeps us bouncing back.

In what way was the devil’s temptation of Jesus about much more than bread?

Jesus’s response points to something deeper. He teaches us that our spiritual food is much more important than our physical food. Our hearts need the Word of God just as frequently as our bodies need physical food.

Friends, the Word will keep sin out of us and keep us out of sin (Psa. 119:9-11,67,71,133).  

What do we learn about the devil here?

He is REAL, not symbolic, and he is constantly fighting against those who follow and obey God. Satan’s temptations are REAL too, and he is always trying to get us to live his way or our way rather than God’s way.

Jesus will one day reign over all creation, but Satan tried to force His hand and get Him to declare His kingship prematurely. If Jesus had given in, His mission on earth – to die for our sins and give us the opportunity to have eternal life – would have been lost. When temptations seem especially strong, or when you think, you can rationalize giving in, consider whether Satan may be trying to block God’s purposes for your life or for someone else’s life.

What can we learn from this passage about facing temptation?

Physical needs and desires were the first area that the devil tempted Jesus.

But also, the temptation to do something myself instead of waiting on God.

Instant gratification and giving in to the flesh’s desires.

Listen to what Paul says about this…

Now, Paul describes living according to the flesh as a life outside of Christ. This is a worldly life of serving self, first and always. Paul goes on to say that those who live according to the flesh are not Christians. They cannot submit to God's law and cannot please God (Romans 8:7–8).

 

Jesus shows and tells us this morning to allow God’s Word to have more influence over us than the desires of our flesh.

 

He shows us that Christian living requires preparation, consecration, and revelation. 

On January 26th of this year, INSIDER at www.businessinsider.com ran a story that revealed 24 examples of why Kobe Bryant’s work ethic was unmatched. They reported that he used to be in the gym practicing in the dark as early as 4:00 am. Shaq said that he used to practice dribbling and shooting without a ball. He kept players after practice for one-on-one drills. Kobe would ice his knees for twenty minutes three times per day and did acupuncture to avoid getting hurt. He went through super intense workouts on game days. He was strict about what he ate and watched a film of himself at halftime. Players and fans are still fascinated by how Kobe was able to break old records and set unmatched new records in the NBA. This article reveals that it is all about preparation. I think that is the key to dealing with temptation.

1.    The Preparation for Temptation (v. 1) 

I think the first phrase shows the preparation. It says, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit.” Matthew had just showed us the authentication of Jesus when He came up out of the water after being baptized by John the Baptist. The Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and the Father spoke from heaven saying, “This is My Beloved Son. I take delight in Him!” (Matt. 3:16-17). Jesus’s preparation is seen in His close walk with the Father which enabled Him to receive and respond to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. This is key for us. We will never be ready to deal with temptation if we are not walking in constant communion with God. This preparation takes form in the next phrases. 

 

This time of testing showed that Jesus really was the Son of God, able to overcome the devil and his temptations. A person has not shown true obedience if he or she has never had an opportunity to disobey. We read Deuteronomy 8:2 that God led Israel into the desert to humble and test them. God wanted to see whether His people would really obey Him. We too will be tested. Because we know that testing will come, we should be alert and ready for it. Remember, your convictions are only strong if they are held under pressure!

 

Jesus wasn’t tempted inside the temple or at His baptism but in the desert where He was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable – when we are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty).

 

2.    The Consecration for Temptation (v. 2)

The origin of the word comes from the Latin stem consecrate, which means dedicated, devoted, and sacred.

Jesus had been fasting for forty days and forty nights. In the Bible, fasting is always associated with praying. Jesus consecrated Himself through the spiritual disciplines of fasting and praying.

 

The pastor that wrote this lesson told a story about a member in his church that was living in the nursing center – her name was Ms. Mattie. Ms. Mattie was experiencing dementia; she would repeat several things every Monday when I visited. One of the things she would say to the pastor every time he got ready to leave was, “Keep praying young man; prayer keeps you strong, and prayer keeps you going on.” Ms. Mattie couldn’t remember my name, but she always remembered the power of prayer.

Praying and fasting will help us be prepared to deal with temptation when it comes. 

  

3.    The Revelation for Temptation (vv. 3-4)

The revelation is how sneaky the devil can be! He knew that Jesus was hungry, so he sought to tempt Him to gratify Himself. He literally sought to catch Jesus vulnerable and get Him to do something that seemed justifiable. That is how sneaky the devil is. He will try to get us to do the right thing the wrong way.

 

Many times, that is what sin boils down to — us trying to get the right thing the wrong way or at the wrong time.

 

Jesus was hungry and weak after fasting for 40-days, but He chose not to use His divine power to satisfy His natural desire for food. The food, hunger, and eating were good, but the timing was wrong. Jesus was in the desert to fast, not to eat. And because Jesus had given up the unlimited, independent use of His divine power to experience humanity fully, He wouldn’t use His power to change the stones to bread. We may be tempted to satisfy a perfectly normal desire in a wrong way or at a wrong time. If we indulge in sex before marriage or steal to get food, we are trying to satisfy God-given desires in wrong ways. Remember, many of your desires are normal and good, but God wants you to satisfy them in the right way and at the right time.

  

Jesus was able to resist all the devil’s temptations because He not only knew Scripture, but He also obeyed it. Ephesians 6:17 says that God’s Word is a sword to use in spiritual combat. Knowing Bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the devil’s attacks, but we must also obey it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us follow God’s desires rather than the devils.

 

Conclusion:

Jesus did not give in to the temptations He faced. Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus “has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” He knows firsthand what we are experiencing, and He is willing and able to help us in our struggles. When you are tempted, turn to Him for strength. 

God’s provision is always better 

than what we try to get for ourselves.