The Temptations Of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) Reflection & Meditation
Reflection and Meditation on Matthew 4:1-11
Temptations are evil influences
from Satan deceiving us to do things that displease God. The temptations of
Jesus teach us how these will appear in our life and how to deal with them. All
temptations can be classified into three categories i.e. temptations of the
body, temptations of the mind and temptations of the heart. Jesus teaches us
that the only way to counter temptations is the word of God.
1st Temptation: Jesus is tempted to make bread from stones
and thus do something contrary to the will of God. Jesus does not argue or
debate but just quotes the word of God from the book of Deuteronomy (Deut. 8:3).
This word of God was given to the people of Israel through Moses to remind them
how they were unfaithful to God when faced with hunger in the desert.
2nd Temptation: Here Jesus is tempted to misinterpret the
word of God. Psalm 91:11 promises that God will put his angels in charge of
those who love him and they will even protect his foot from dashing on a stone.
Jesus is being tempted to challenge or force God to act. It is a subtle attempt
to control God’s decisions. Again Jesus does not argue or debate but just
quotes the word of God from Deuteronomy (Deut. 6:16). This word was given to
the chosen people through Moses to remind them how they challenged God to act
when they had no water in the desert.
3rd Temptation: Satan is the ruler of the world. He acquired
this kingship when he deceived Adam and made him his slave. Jesus has come to
reclaim all that Adam has lost but he has to do the will of God which is to
accept the way of the cross. Satan is offering an easier way out or a shortcut.
Just worship me and get everything without any pain. He is the deceiver and the
father of all lies. If Jesus bows before him he will become slave of Satan just
like Adam. Jesus gives first place to God and rejects Satan’s offer. Here also
Jesus does not argue or debate but just quotes the word of God from the book of
Deuteronomy (Deut. 6:13). This word was given by God to the Israelites through
Moses to remind them how they were unfaithful to God when they worshiped the
golden calf in the desert.
1. Temptations of the Body
The body wants pleasure all the
time. There are certain basic things which are necessary for the sustenance and
protection of the body. These are food, clothing, shelter and rest. Other
activities like leisure, exercises etc. are also helpful. All these things give
satisfaction or pleasure to the body. However the devil tempts us to seek
inordinate or excessive pleasure from these things beyond what is willed by
God. When we act on the devil’s influences we displease God and thus commit
sin. The devil also tempts us to gain these things in ways forbidden by God. It
is the will of God that we do ethical work to acquire these things. The devil
tempts us to choose the easier way and acquire our basic needs without doing
any work. The capital sins of gluttony, lust and sloth are related to the body.
Practices like abstinence and fasting help to discipline the wants of the body.
2. Temptations of the Mind
The mind wants to have control
over everything. Here our focus is on intentions. The worldly knowledge tells
us that if we have wealth, position, power and fame we can have control over
every situation in our life or be masters of our own destiny. The devil will
always try to confuse our understanding on the will of God by filling our mind
with lies. The word of God teaches us about all things that please God and also
about things that displease him. The devil will always deceive us to interpret
the word of God in a manner that suits our liking. Therefore it is necessary to
study the interpretation of the word of God from a reliable source. Often just
focus on the gospel of prosperity without understanding the value of suffering
leaves people in disillusion in times of adversity. God has promised to
provide, protect, deliver and heal. However it is not given to us to decide the
manner, time and place for God to act. God has also promised to make us perfect
just like a refiner does to gold and silver with fire. Refining takes place
only through suffering. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus clearly said “if any want to be
my followers let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”.
The cross is not just suffering of the mind and heart but of the body as well. The
capital sin of pride is related to the mind. Only knowledge of the word of God
can help us understand the will of God and thus allow him control over our
life.
3. Temptations of the Heart
The heart wants love. The heart
is created to contain love of persons and not things. We are called to give God
first place and second place to other persons. All other things in creation are
created for our good but not to get precedence over love of God and love of persons.
When the heart is not filled sufficiently with the love of God there is some
empty space. The devil offers cheap alternatives to fill this empty space. There
are basically four things with which the devil deceives us to compensate for
true love. These are love of wealth, position, power and popularity. When we
love these things more than God and other persons we acquire these by doing
things that are forbidden by God. The capital sins of avarice, envy, jealousy,
hatred are related to lack of true love. Prayer fills us with the love of God.
The following things are
forbidden by God. Acquiring wealth by immoral activities (cheating, bribes, dealing
in sinful goods, etc). Acquiring position for self glorification and not as an
opportunity to do good to others. Acquiring power to dominate and not for the
good of others. Doing things to gain human approval or recognition and not the
approval of God.
Conclusion:
Every person seeks happiness. We look for it in
the things of the world. This happiness can be easily taken away from us. We
are happy when we have these things. The moment we lose them we also lose
happiness along with it. True happiness comes from a relationship with God.
Once you have it nobody can take it away from you. To have a peaceful mind, a
heart full of love and a body co-operating with the soul is true happiness.
This post provides detailed explanation of the three temptations of Jesus and how to deal with them successfully in our own Christian life.
