Temptation : Victory in the Wilderness
- Kirupakaran
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Every human shares a common weakness — the pull of temptation.
It’s that strange inner urge to do what we already know is wrong. We’ve all been there — staring at that slice of cake while on a strict diet, or reaching for a sweet though the doctor said “no.”
Temptation changes shape with age — what draws a child might not lure an adult, but the struggle remains the same. For a child, it’s the irresistible call of chocolate. For others, it’s the thrill of “just one puff” or “just one glass.” But what begins as a harmless moment often grows into a habit that chains the soul.
Behind every temptation stands an unseen enemy — Satan — whispering just enough to make sin look appealing. He never shows the pain that follows, only the pleasure of the moment. That’s how one choice can spiral into addiction, until the damage is done and regret sets in. [1 Timothy 6:9 NIV] 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
But here’s the good news: temptation can be defeated. And Jesus showed us how — in the wilderness, face to face with the devil himself.
The struggle with temptation isn’t just a moment of weakness — it’s a spiritual battle.
Every time we yield to temptation, we step into sin, and that opens the door to a deeper inner conflict. Behind it all stands an invisible enemy — Satan, who works to pull us away from God’s will.
[Ephesians 6:12 NIV] 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Temptation, therefore, isn’t merely about self-control — it’s about spiritual warfare.
We don’t fight people or circumstances; we fight unseen powers that aim to weaken our faith.
Background of Wilderness
After Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness — not by Satan, not by human mistake, but by divine design.
[Matthew 4:1 NIV] 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Why was Jesus lead to the wilderness ?
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to fast for forty days and forty nights — not by chance, but by divine purpose
Jesus was not tempted so that the Father could learn anything about His Son, for the Father had already declared His approval at the baptism: Matthew 3:17 “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Rather, Jesus was tempted so that every being in heaven, on earth, and under the earth would know that He is the Conqueror — victorious over sin, Satan, and temptation.
Adam faced Satan in a beautiful garden surrounded by abundance — and fell.
Jesus faced Satan in a barren wilderness, weary and hungry — yet triumphed.
He endured temptation not for His sake, but for ours [Hebrews 2:18 NIV] 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
His victory proves that we, too, can overcome temptation — not by human strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. [Zechariah 4:6 NIV] 6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
Through this wilderness victory, Jesus exposed Satan’s tactics and established a pattern for our own victory — showing that obedience, dependence on the Word, and the Spirit’s power lead to triumph every time.
We should remember this important point
Jesus faced Satan as man, not as God, using the same two spiritual weapons that’s available to us today.
a) The Word of God — “It is written.”
b) The Spirit of God — “Led by the Spirit into the wilderness.”
Three Temptation that Jesus Faced before he cast Satan away. To be attended by angels
Temptation One — Physical Needs
[Matthew 4:2-4 NIV] 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Satan’s Lie:
The first temptation involved the love of God and will of God.
Paraphrasing Satan’s words in Matthew 4:3 to make it more colloquial for understanding “If You are truly God’s Son, why are You hungry? Why would a loving Father leave You in this condition?”
He questions God’s love to the Son of God. “, "If you are the Son of God”
When he asks this question it’s a subdue suggestion to make us doubt that our father does not love us.
Jesus’ Response:
He used the Two tools to fight the temptation – Word of God and Spirit of God to fight the victory
Jesus Responded Matthew 4:4 by quoting the words written in Deuteronomy 8:3 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
By the Power of Holy Spirit [Matthew 4:1 NIV] 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit
Satan has no power to counter the word of God, he fears the Bible and knows the Bible. So knowing the word of God only can make us effective to counter him back. If we lack knowing his word we fail to fight this battle.
Jesus could have easily turned the stones into bread, but He chose not to, submitting instead to the Father’s will and enduring the temptation.
Lessons we should learn :
Don’t let circumstances make you question God’s love. God’s love is inseparable [Romans 8:38-39 NIV] 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Spiritual gifts are for God’s purpose and for his Glory. Never use spiritual gifts for self-gain . If Jesus had to endure stand against this temptation, who are we to use this for our Self-gain.
Spiritual nourishment is more vital than physical food. [John 4:34 NIV] 34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Word + Spirit together give victory — one without the other is not enough.
Key Lesson : “Don’t stop reading the Word once you know it. Keep meditating — every time you return, God reveals new wisdom for new battles.”
Temptation Two — Spiritual Pride
[Matthew 4:5-7 NIV] 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Satan’s Lie:
The second temptation, he took Jesus to a holy city and made him stand at highest point of the temple
The Second was even more subtle for Satan to Say “Since you have used the word of God, Then let me quote You a verse of Scripture and see if You will obey it!''
Satan then quoted from Psalm 91:11-12 where God promised to care for His own. But he twisted it, leaving out the phrase “to guard you in all your ways”
Verse 6 " 'He will command his angels concerning you (Missed “to guard you in all your ways”), and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'
This is how he still deceives: using partial truth out of context.
Jesus’ Response:
Once again, Jesus relied on two spiritual tools to overcome temptation: the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Jesus replied with Deuteronomy 6:16 “'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”
Jesus demonstrated humility, refusing to flaunt His Spirit’s power or respond in pride.
He trusted that when a child of God is walking in God’s will, the Father will protect them — as promised in Psalm 91:11a: “to guard you in all your ways”
Confident in the Father’s care, Jesus ignored Satan’s challenge and remained obedient, showing that trust in God is stronger than yielding to temptation.
Lessons we should learn :
Even holy places can be settings for temptation.
Beware of spiritual pride when people praise your “high place” in ministry.
Study Scripture completely — text with context, comparing “spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor 2:13).
Don’t force God to prove His care through reckless choices.
Key Lesson : When we walk in God’s ways, His angels guard us. Psalm 91:11 (a): “He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.”
Temptation Three — Worldly Glory
[Matthew 4:8-10 NIV] 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
Satan’s Lie:
The third temptation, he took Jesus to a very high mountain and all the kingdoms of earth and their wonderful works.
See this from a different way, Satan taking Jesus to show the “The glam of world to Jesus” who is the author and creator. See how naïve Satan is to dupe the creator.
Devils’ kingdom is the earth; he can only take to that place to show to Jesus.
Devil tempted to show the fame / glam of world’s kingdom, for what? to worship Satan
Satan loves to worship him, he was kicked out from heaven for this sole reason [Isaiah 14:12-13 NIV] 12 How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
Satan is good at using shortcuts to Glory, without the Cross there is no glory we can share with him.
Jesus’ Response:
Once again, Jesus relied on two spiritual tools to overcome temptation: the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Jesus replied with Deuteronomy 6:13 “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”
Father God had already promised Jesus the Kingdom [Psalm 2:8 NIV] 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
Lessons we should learn :
There are no shortcuts in God’s plan.
Worshiping the creature instead of the Creator is the lie that rules our world today – So don’t fall for that.
Satan still tempts believers with “quick success” and worldly fame.
Worship and service always go together — what we worship, we serve.
· When you resist in Jesus’ name, Satan must flee. Matt 4:11 “Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.”
One victory never guarantees freedom from further temptation. If anything, each victory we experience only makes Satan try harder.
Remember we are God’s children, and we are victors in him, we don’t have victory in our own self, by his (Jesus) power we are victors [1 John 4:4 NIV] 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Key Lesson : Victory is already won for us in the Cross, We have got that as inheritance from Christ as his children. Just a word Away from me, Satan! Is enough to cast him out from your presence.
Summary
What “wilderness” are you walking through today?
Are you letting the Spirit of God lead, or are you being driven by your circumstances?
Are you feeding on God’s Word daily, using it as both your sustenance and your sword?
Do you assume that reading the Word once is enough, or are you returning to it continually?
Remember: the Word of God is living and active — it is His breath, full of life, wisdom, and knowledge. Every time you read, new insights and dimensions are revealed, equipping you to stand strong and fight the battles of life.
So Let every temptation become your testimony. Jesus overcame — so can you, through His Spirit and His Word.