From the temptations that Jesus faced, Christians learn several important lessons about Jesus:
- Power and authority cannot lead one to the kingdom of God: Jesus demonstrated that even though He had the power to turn stones into bread or gain authority over all the kingdoms of the world, He did not succumb to the temptation. This teaches Christians that true power and authority come from God and should be used in alignment with His will.
- Jesus worshiped God alone: In the face of temptation to worship the devil and gain worldly glory, Jesus remained steadfast in His devotion to God. Christians learn from this that they should worship God alone and not be swayed by the temporary pleasures or temptations of the world.
- Jesus resisted the devil: When tempted by the devil, Jesus did not give in but instead resisted the temptations. This teaches Christians the importance of resisting temptation and standing firm in their faith.
- Jesus had faith in God: Throughout the temptations, Jesus demonstrated unwavering faith in God. He trusted that God would provide for His needs and did not put God to the test. This teaches Christians to have faith in God and to trust in His provision and guidance.
- Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit: Jesus desired to have the Holy Spirit, and it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that He was able to conquer the devil. This teaches Christians the importance of seeking the Holy Spirit in their lives and relying on His strength to overcome temptations.
- Jesus quoted scripture: When faced with temptation, Jesus turned to the scriptures for guidance and quoted biblical verses. This highlights the importance for Christians to be knowledgeable in scriptures and to use God’s Word as a source of guidance and strength.
- Jesus taught contentment and not putting God to the test: In His response to the devil’s temptations, Jesus emphasized the importance of being content with what one has and not putting God to the test. This teaches Christians to find contentment in God and to trust in His provision, rather than seeking worldly possessions or testing His faithfulness.
In summary, Christians learn from the temptations of Jesus that power and authority should be used in alignment with God’s will, worship should be directed to God alone, resistance to temptation is crucial, faith in God is essential, reliance on the Holy Spirit is important, knowledge of scriptures is valuable, contentment and trust in God are key, and putting God to the test should be avoided.
