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After his baptism, Jesus was led to the wilderness to face his first challenge. After 40 days of fasting, he was full of the Spirit yet physically tired. Then the devil came to him with three challenges: desire of the flesh (3), pride (6), and desire for control and power (8,9).
We all experience difficult times, and we all have weaknesses that make us especially vulnerable. The devil, as the prince of the world, understands our nature and vulnerabilities. He attacks at the right time with temptations that are hard to resist. Jesus, as he was fully human, also faced temptation. And he showed us how to deal with temptation.
He understood that the Word of God gives life (4). He trusted God fully (7), and he had clear spiritual discernment (10). Are you being tempted by the devil? Do you feel too weak to resist the temptation? Bring all your concerns and weaknesses before Jesus, who understands you and has the power to walk you through the difficult time and help you to hold to the truth of God. We can surely enjoy the life of faith with confidence (Heb 4:15-16).
Jan 27, 2026
JESUS OVERCOMES TEMPTATION
Passage: Matthew 4:1-11
Key verse: 4
NIV
chapter 4
1. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
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.’"
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.’"
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.’"
11. Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the strength you give me each day to overcome doubts and temptations. I want to understand your words deeply to mature in my life of faith.
One Word: I can overcome temptation in Jesus