Jesus’ Temptation

Jesus’ Temptation

Q: Satan told Jesus to change stones into what?

• a. water
• b. doves
• c. bread

After Jesus was baptized, he went to the desert, where he spent 40 days with no food to eat. Jesus had a physical body, so he was hungry just as we would be. Satan knew Jesus was hungry and tried to get him to prove that he was God by changing stones into bread. Satan also asked Jesus to throw himself off the top of the Temple to prove the angels would protect him. Then Satan told Jesus that if Jesus worshiped him, he would give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.

Satan didn’t tempt Jesus at his baptism when he had the support of John the Baptist. He waited until Jesus was alone, tired, and hungry. It’s easy to give in to temptation when you aren’t well rested and fed. It’s easy to rationalize things when you are alone. Yet Jesus resisted. How? He quoted Scripture to Satan. But just knowing Scripture isn’t enough, because Satan quoted Scripture to Jesus, too.

Scripture is our weapon for spiritual battle. The Bible says, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). It’s important to both know and obey Scripture. If you are willing to do both, Scripture is a powerful weapon against temptation.

For You

Fill your heart and mind with Scripture for the times you are tempted. It will also help you when you are afraid, lonely, or discouraged. Use a concordance (there may be one in the back of your Bible) and look for a word such as anger, love, patience, holy, or trust. Look up all the Bible references listed for that word and memorize one.

Answer: c

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”   Luke 4:3-4

(The Whole Story: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)