The Power of Perspective: How Jesus Overcame Temptation and So Can We   Matthew 4:1-11

1. This story about Jesus being tempted reminds me of something that happened at a church Bible camp I went to. On the last night, we always did this thing called "Pilgrim's Progress." It was basically a nighttime hike up a mountain, and there were different stations set up along the way. At the very end, there was this huge "banquet" set up, and it was supposed to be a big temptation. We'd skipped dinner before the hike, so everyone was really hungry. And this "banquet" was full of all sorts of delicious-looking food. The idea was, if you could resist eating it, there'd be a real feast waiting for us back at the camp. Most of us knew what was going on, so we made it through okay. But then, we realized one of the kids was missing. We couldn't find him anywhere, even after the hike was over. So, we started searching. I was curious, and because I knew this kid pretty well, I went back to the last station, where the "banquet" was. And there he was! I saw a hand reaching out from under the table, grabbing food. He was hiding there, secretly eating. Every time I read about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, I think of that kid hiding under the table, giving in to the temptation of the food. It just makes the whole idea of temptation feel really real and relatable.

2. Lent began this week, but I started my series of Lent sermons last week by mistake. I talked about the meaning of Lent. It starts with repentance, which means turning away from our own desires and towards God. We used to focus on ourselves and the world, but now we focus on God because of Jesus Christ. This is the basic meaning of repentance. Changing our focus is very important, especially when we talk about temptation, which is today’s topic.

Matthew 4:1–4 NASB 2020

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’ ”

Matthew 4:5–8 NASB 2020

Then the devil took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and he said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: ‘He will give His angels orders concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will lift You up, So that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;

Matthew 4:9–11 NASB 2020

and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him.

3. The season of Lent encourages us to shift our focus and direction towards Jesus. It also helps us reflect on our lives and our ongoing journey with the Lord. As we go through life, we face many challenges, such as relationship issues, daily needs, and decisions about our future steps. It's always good to take a moment to reflect on our lives and thoughts. Today, let's talk about temptation. Even Jesus faced temptation from Satan. We know that Jesus overcame these temptations using the Word of God. But today, let's explore this from a different perspective. We'll break today's passage into three parts:

1. How to enter the temptations.

2. The types of temptations Jesus faced.

3. The consequences of overcoming these temptations.

Let's dive in!

4. After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. In the first century, people believed the wilderness was a place to encounter God. This belief stemmed from stories like Moses meeting God in the wilderness and their ancestors experiencing God’s grace there. It’s interesting to think about how the wilderness, often seen as a harsh and desolate place, was also viewed as a space for divine encounters and spiritual growth.

Deuteronomy 8:1–2 ESV

“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.

Deuteronomy 8:3–5 ESV

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.

5. Israel’s story began in the wilderness, where they became a nation after God rescued them from Egypt. For the Israelites, the wilderness wasn’t just a place—it was a symbol of God’s presence and guidance in their lives. It was where they first experienced His care and learned to trust Him. Looking back on our lives, we all face moments that feel like a wilderness—times of struggle, hardship, or loneliness that seem impossible to overcome. These are the seasons when we feel lost, alone, or disconnected, as if no one understands what we’re going through. When we say, “I’m in the wilderness,” we’re describing those raw, challenging moments that test our faith and resilience. Yet, just as Israel’s wilderness was a place of God’s presence, our own wildernesses can become spaces where we encounter Him in profound ways.

6. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, a time when He prayed, fasted, and reflected deeply on God and His plans. It was likely a period of preparation, where Jesus meditated on His purpose for coming to earth and the mission He was called to fulfill. At the end of those 40 days, as He grew physically weak and spiritually strong, Satan came to tempt Him. From this part of the story, we can understand that even when we are guided by the Spirit, we may still face temptation—just as Jesus did. Although He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, He was still confronted by Satan’s temptations. This realization brings comfort, reminding us that facing temptation is a natural part of human life. It’s not a sign of failure or being abandoned by God; rather, it’s an opportunity to grow stronger in faith and reliance on Him.

2 Peter 2:9 CEB

These things show that the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials, and how to keep the unrighteous for punishment on the Judgment Day.

7. When Jesus faced the temptations, He likely thought about these things because He had a physical body and experienced real human needs. In fact, He was fully human as well as fully divine. If someone had gone without food for 40 days, it’s natural that their thoughts would turn to basic survival—hunger, nourishment, and the body’s demands. Satan knew this about human weakness, which is why the first temptation focused on fulfilling an immediate physical need: turning stones into bread. It was an attempt to exploit Jesus’ hunger and challenge His trust in God’s provision.

Matthew 4:3 NLT

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

8. This temptation related to daily needs doesn’t just apply to individuals—it also affects communities, especially the church. When a church focuses too much on meeting its practical needs—like building projects, finances, or programs—it can easily shift its focus away from God and onto those needs. Once that happens, prayer requests that were once centered on God’s work and purposes can become self-centered, revolving only around what the church or its members lack. Instead of praying to align with God’s will, prayers may start to sound more like demands for personal or organizational gain. Throughout the Bible, there are many examples of people or groups losing their heart for God when they prioritize their own desires or needs over His purposes. It serves as a reminder that focusing solely on our needs can lead us away from trusting in God and His provision.

1 Samuel 13:6–7 NKJV

When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

1 Samuel 13:8–10 NKJV

Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

9.  When Saul began focusing on his needs for war, his attention shifted away from God and onto his own concerns. In that mindset, he started viewing the sacrifice as merely a ritual, something he could handle himself since he was the anointed king of Israel. But this attitude revealed his lack of trust in God, and as a result, God regretted choosing Saul as king. Saul’s fear of failure caused him to act out of desperation, prioritizing his perceived needs over obedience to God. From this, we learn that the opposite of faith isn’t unbelief—it’s fear. Fear drives us to rely on ourselves or seek quick fixes rather than trusting in God’s plan. That’s why God continually calls us to live by faith. Faith is rooted in trust and surrender to Him, while fear stems from our weaknesses and temptations, pulling us away from His guidance. Fear doesn’t come from God; it comes when we take our eyes off Him and focus on what we lack.

10. The next temptation Jesus faced was about power—the ability to do something extraordinary. Satan knew full well who Jesus was: the Son of God, possessing divine authority and power. He also knew that Jesus had the ability to use His divine nature to establish God’s kingdom on earth in a dramatic, forceful way if He chose to. After 40 days of fasting, Jesus’ physical strength was at its weakest point, making this an opportune moment for Satan to strike. He tempted Jesus to use His power not for God’s purposes, but for personal gain or to prove Himself in a way that would bypass the path of humility and suffering. Satan tried to exploit the tension between Jesus’ humanity and divinity, urging Him to act independently of the Father’s will. This was a direct challenge to Jesus’ commitment to trust God’s plan rather than rely on His own power or status.

Matthew 4:5–6 LBP

Then Satan took him to Jerusalem to the roof of the Temple. “Jump off,” he said, “and prove you are the Son of God; for the Scriptures declare, ‘God will send his angels to keep you from harm,’ . . . they will prevent you from smashing on the rocks below.”

11. When a church begins to lose its purpose and God-given plan, it’s often because it starts focusing on its own power, abilities, or success rather than on the mission of the Gospel. There are many large churches in the world today, and while size itself isn’t inherently bad, it can become problematic when growth leads to misplaced priorities. In their early days, when these churches were small, they may have been humble, relying on God and staying focused on spreading the Gospel. But as they grew—seeing increased attendance, resources, and influence—they sometimes began to shift their focus. They might start believing that their growth is a sign of divine favor, thinking, “We’re being blessed, so we must be doing everything right.” This mindset can lead them to trust in their own strength or strategies rather than in God’s leading. 

12. At this point, compromises often begin to creep in. Decisions are made not based on faithfulness to God’s Word but on what will attract more people, maintain their size, or protect their reputation. Over time, the church’s priority subtly shifts from proclaiming the transformative message of the Gospel to preserving its image, numbers, or influence. In the end, instead of being driven by a passion for God’s kingdom, they become focused on keeping their institutional success intact—even if it means diluting the truth of the Gospel. God doesn’t work through our strengths but through our weaknesses. Even our greatest power is weaker than God’s weakest moment. Jesus understood this when beginning his ministry—God’s plan wasn’t about showcasing divine power through Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:26–28 NLT

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

Luke 4:18–19 MSG

God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s year to act!”

13. The last temptation challenged Jesus to embrace his divine nature and use it to achieve God’s purpose on Earth. It seems even Satan understood that Jesus was here to bring about the Kingdom of God. While establishing God’s Kingdom was indeed why God sent Jesus, it wasn’t about a physical nation or political power, and it wasn’t something humans could create. Many Jewish people in the first century were looking for a powerful, conquering Messiah, who would use God’s power to dominate the world, very different from Jesus.

Matthew 4:8–9 CSB

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.”

14. There's a Christian viewpoint, sometimes called Christian Zionism, that focuses on physically rebuilding Jerusalem. People who hold this view believe that Jesus will return only after Jerusalem is completely restored. They see it as their responsibility to actively work towards this restoration. This belief motivates various efforts. For example, some mission organizations believe that evangelizing every nation and people group will bring about Jesus' return. I remember visiting one such group about 20 years ago, and they were saying Jesus would come back around 2028. Now, I hear they're aiming for around 2035. Even though Jesus has the divine power, He did not use it because he knew God's timing is not yet come. Instead, he followed God's work and he made himself humble.

Philippians 2:5–8 MSG

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

15. Through these temptations, Jesus demonstrates how to resist them. He shifted focus away from himself toward God. His perspective wasn’t self-centered but God-centered. I’m not suggesting we must quote scripture when facing temptation. Rather, we should maintain our focus on God. Notice that Jesus never said “I have sinned” or “I failed to keep my perspective” when tempted. He didn’t condemn himself. Instead, he steadfastly kept his attention on God, never losing sight of the divine perspective.

Luke 4:4 NASB 2020

And Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ ”

Luke 4:8 NASB 2020

Jesus replied to him, “It is written: ‘you shall worship the lord your God and serve him only.’ ”

Luke 4:12 NASB 2020

And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been stated, ‘you shall not put the lord your God to the test.’ ”

16. We will face trials and temptations. When they come, we don’t need to condemn ourselves or immediately feel sorry or like a failure. Instead, like Jesus, we can turn to God’s perspective, which we find in His Word. We can maintain that divine viewpoint by reading the Bible. That’s why I wanted to start the Gospel Reading Project. Reading the Bible isn’t just a religious duty; it’s about keeping our focus on God and building a real relationship with Him. So, let’s use the Bible to continually realign our perspective with God’s. Let’s remind ourselves who we are: His children and His ambassadors. Seeing God first – that’s the real heart of repentance. God is with us, and we are in Him through Jesus. So don’t be afraid; put your faith in Jesus!

Podcast by NotebookLM https://youtu.be/lCYfJdtPR1o

Resisting Temptation: A Study Guide on Matthew 4:1-11

I. Core Themes and Concepts

• Temptation: The act of being enticed to do something wrong or unwise, often by appealing to desires or weaknesses.

• Wilderness: A place of testing, solitude, and potential encounter with God. Symbolically, a time of difficulty or hardship in one's life.

• Repentance: A turning away from self-centred desires and a re-orientation toward God. A fundamental shift in focus.

• Focus/Perspective: The importance of maintaining a God-centred perspective, especially during times of temptation and difficulty.

• Trust: Reliance on God's provision and guidance, especially when confronted with personal needs or the allure of power.

• Faith vs. Fear: Understanding that fear, not unbelief, is the opposite of faith, and how fear can lead to actions contrary to God's will.

• Humility: Embracing a humble posture, recognizing our weaknesses and limitations, and trusting in God's power rather than our own.

• Divine Provision: Recognising and trusting that God provides what is needed.

II. Detailed Review Topics

1. The Context of the Temptation:

• Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness following his baptism.

• The dual nature of the wilderness: a place of desolation and a place to encounter God.

• The significance of the number 40 in biblical narratives (e.g., Moses, Israel).

1. The Three Temptations:

• Stones into Bread: The temptation to satisfy immediate physical needs by misusing divine power.

• How this relates to individual and church priorities.

• Jumping from the Temple: The temptation to test God's protection and seek dramatic displays of power.

• How this relates to the pursuit of institutional power and success.

• Worship Satan for Worldly Kingdoms: The temptation to bypass God's plan and achieve worldly power through compromise.

• How this relates to distorting the Gospel for perceived gains.

1. Jesus' Response to Temptation:

• Using scripture (Deuteronomy) to counter each temptation.

• Maintaining focus on God's will and resisting self-centred desires.

• The importance of a God-centred perspective.

1. The Meaning of Lent:

• Lent as a time of repentance and shifting focus towards Jesus.

• Reflecting on one's life and relationship with God.

1. The Role of the Holy Spirit:

• The Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness.

• The reminder that even when guided by the Spirit, temptation is still possible.

1. Application to Personal and Church Life:

• Identifying personal "wilderness" experiences and how to encounter God within them.

• Recognizing the potential for churches to prioritize practical needs over spiritual purposes.

• The dangers of seeking institutional power, success, or growth at the expense of Gospel faithfulness.

1. Christian Zionism:

• The belief that Jesus will return only after Jerusalem is completely restored.

III. Quiz: Short-Answer Questions

1. Explain the symbolic significance of the wilderness in the context of Matthew 4:1-11.

2. Summarise the first temptation Jesus faced and how it relates to prioritising needs.

3. How did Jesus respond to each of the temptations presented by Satan?

4. What is the relationship between faith and fear, as illustrated in the passage and the discussion of Saul?

5. Describe the shift in focus that can occur when a church prioritises growth and success.

6. Explain what is meant by repentance in this passage.

7. What does the passage suggest about the purpose of Lent?

8. Describe the third temptation Jesus faced.

9. How does Jesus demonstrate how to resist temptation?

10. How might a Christians maintain a God-centred perspective?

IV. Quiz: Answer Key

1. The wilderness symbolises a place of testing and hardship, but also a space where one can encounter God profoundly, as seen in the stories of Moses and the Israelites.

2. The first temptation was to turn stones into bread, appealing to Jesus' hunger after fasting. This temptation represents the broader challenge of prioritizing immediate physical needs over spiritual obedience, both for individuals and churches.

3. Jesus responded to each temptation by quoting scripture from Deuteronomy, maintaining his focus on God's will and resisting the allure of immediate gratification or worldly power.

4. The passage argues that fear, not unbelief, is the opposite of faith. Fear can lead individuals and communities to act out of desperation and prioritize their own perceived needs over obedience to God, as exemplified by Saul.

5. When a church prioritises growth and success, it may shift its focus from spreading the Gospel to preserving its image, numbers, or influence, potentially diluting the truth of the Gospel to maintain institutional success.

6. Repentance, in the context of this passage, means turning away from our own desires and towards God. It signifies a shift in focus, re-orienting our perspective towards the divine.

7. The passage suggests that the purpose of Lent is to shift our focus towards Jesus, providing an opportunity to reflect on our lives and our ongoing journey with God.

8. The third temptation was the temptation to have all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus bowed down and worshipped the devil.

9. Jesus demonstrates how to resist temptation by turning to God's perspective, using the Word of God (scripture), and maintaining a God-centred focus.

10. A Christian might maintain a God-centred perspective by reading the Bible regularly, continually aligning their thoughts and actions with God's word and remembering their identity as God's children and ambassadors.

VI. Glossary of Key Terms

• Temptation: An enticement to do wrong or unwise.

• Wilderness: A desolate place; symbolically, a time of testing or isolation.

• Repentance: Turning away from self and toward God; a change of mind and heart.

• Lent: A period of fasting and repentance observed by Christians.

• Faith: Trust and reliance on God.

• Fear: Distrust of God, leading to self-reliance or desperation.

• Humility: Recognising one's limitations and dependence on God.

• Divine Provision: God's care and supply of needs.

• Perspective: A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

• Christian Zionism: The Christian belief that Jews must return to their homeland.