Mark 1:9-13 We can learn a great deal about temptation and how to overcome it by observing the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and seeing how He confronted it. To get one to do a certain act is only secondary to the real purpose of temptation. Satan didn't care whether or not Jesus had bread to eat, he didn't even care about the miracle of changing stones into bread. The jumping off the temple or bowing down to Satan were also only secondary to the real purpose. The real purpose was to lure Jesus into becoming a different kind of Messiah than He came to be; to empty it of its power to effect salvation for man and certainly to avoid the cross. Satan used ploys that would offer a quick fix to the present dilemma and that would take advantage of His human weakness. Jesus did not say no to the temptation as a thing in itself. He didn't say, "I'm not hungry." or "No! I won't make these stones bread." He didn't say, "No, I won't jump." or "No, I won't bow down to you." But with the Scripture He moved to the operating principle behind the temptation. In effect He was saying, "My true source of supply is not food, but the Words that come from the mouth of God."; "I won't tempt God to prove something I already know to be true - I trust Him."; "I will trust and worship God, not things that seem to offer a quick way out." The same is true with you and I. Satan doesn't care whether or not you take a drink, do a drug, or engage in lust. He wants to destroy your relationship to Christ, destroy your testimony, and get your eyes off your heavenly goal. John 8:32 ". . .the truth will set you free." Find out what God's Word says about you and your future and stand on it. Read Jeremiah 29:11 and find God's plan for you. Check out Satan's future, John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Getting Victory over Temptation