"He [the Lord] was not tested with a view to ascertaining whether He would fail, but rather to prove to those of a doubtful mind that He could not fail"
(Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Kregel, 1993 reprint)
The Scriptures are important for every aspect of Christian living, not least when we are engaged in battle. Consider how the Saviour used the Scriptures when He was victorious over the devil.
Adversary
The NT passages documenting the temptation of Christ illustrate, in part, the Satanic opposition to the Word of God (Mt 4.1-11; Mk 1.12-13; Lk 4.1-13). Consider:
His Title: The enemy of the truth is aptly described as "the devil" (Mt 4.1,5,8,11). The title captures the aim of Satan to accuse falsely or to slander (cp. Rev 12.10).
His Tactics: The devil seeks to cast doubt on the Word of God (cp. Mt 3.17 with 4.3,6). He has honed his approach ever since Adam and Eve dwelt in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3.1). He has a knowledge of the Bible but endeavours to misuse and contradict its truth (cp. Mt 4.6 with Ps 91.11-12).
His Timing: It was immediately after His baptism that the Lord faced the temptations (Mt 3.16-4.1). We learn an important principle, namely that periods of blessing are often followed by warfare.
His Testing: It was, of course, impossible for the Lord to fail as there was nothing within Him to respond to the devil (cp. Jn 14.30). The temptations (meaning to try) are recorded to prove that the Lord was not able to sin.
Battleground
We lurch from battle to battle, and there follow some important principles from the temptation. Note, for example, that the trial is:
Inspired: The Spirit led the Saviour into the wilderness (Mt 4.1). For us, it is clear that when we allow God to lead, the resulting experiences are God-given and are designed to develop our faith.
Intense: Everything associated with the temptations was real and severe — the devil, the wilderness and the duration of 40 days/nights. A summary is found in Heb 2.18: "He himself hath suffered being tempted".
Irregular: The recorded trials came in a threefold cycle. In Mt 4.3-4 the strategy was to induce sustenance without the Scriptures; in Mt 4.5-7 it was shelter without submission, and in Mt 4.8-10 it was success without suffering. The devil can switch his attack (cp. 2 Cor 11.14-15; 1 Pet 5.8) and we need to be on guard.
Important: This experience enables the Lord to sympathise with our trials (Heb 4.15 – though as the impeccable Saviour He remains sinless and unique). He knows what it is to face the rigorous onslaught of the devil; but He equally knows how we can be triumphant!
Comfort
The Lord overcame the devil with a resource available to every child of God - the Scriptures! Consider their:
Source: In His exchange with the devil, the Lord confirmed the divine origin and authority of Scripture (Mt 4.4).
Style: In the record of the temptations, the individual style of the Gospel is retained. Matthew emphasises the royal credentials of the Saviour (Mt 2.2; 27.37) and his account of the temptation concludes with a reminder that the kingdom will come from God (not the devil). Mark presents the Saviour as the perfect Servant, and with the focus on His service there is only a brief account of the temptation (Mk 1.12-13 - but note the description of "wild beasts"). Luke portrays the Saviour as the perfect Man (a common title in the Gospel is "Son of Man"). His account of the temptation is preceded by the genealogy of the Saviour, which is traced back to Adam (Lk 3.38). The pattern is also different from Matthew - emphasising the sequence we face (1 Jn 2.16): the lust of the flesh (Lk 4.3-4), the lust of the eyes (Lk 4.5-8) and the pride of life (Lk 4.9-13).
Subject: The incident outlines a compact summary of the Bible. Divine truth is presented; the devil is shown as the enemy of truth; the Saviour is confirmed as the bodily display of divine truth; victory can only be secured through the Lord Jesus.
Sufficiency: Notice that it was enough for the Lord to quote from the Bible! There is sufficient power in the Word to defeat whatever enemy we encounter.
Deployment
A major lesson from the passage is in the use of Scripture. As we follow the example of the Saviour we too need to identify the enemy – but, unlike Him, our enemy is threefold: the devil, the world (Rom 12.2) and the flesh (Rom 7.18). Furthermore, as pilgrims in the wilderness (1 Pet 2.11), we can only gain victory over the devil by using the Scriptures (hence we must continually read and meditate on the Word). It is, therefore, important to have in our possession a Bible that displays the evidence of usage. Remember, as someone has said, "A Bible that is falling apart will normally be owned by a believer who isn’t falling apart"!
Efficacy
The temptations of the Lord prove His impeccable character and also the power of God’s Word. Consider the:
Symbol: The Scriptures are likened to a sword (Eph 6.17), referring to a small sword for fighting at close quarters. It has a unique power to overcome the enemy (Heb 4.12).
Spirit: Only the Spirit-filled believer can effectively use the Scriptures (Eph 5.18; 6.17). It is therefore incumbent on the believer to combine holy living with the daily and systematic reading of the Scriptures.
Swordsman: The Lord’s experience in the wilderness is a pattern in using the right Scripture, in the right way and at the right time! As ever, we ought to "follow his steps" (1 Pet 2.21) in order to gain victory over the enemy (1 Cor 15.57).
