It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions …
Summary: Matthew chapter four recounts the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He is sent into the wilderness without food for forty days and nights. What happens next are a series of questions Satan poses to Jesus. These questions help us understand what godly behavior looks like.
Before Jesus began his ministry, he was tested for forty days and nights in the wilderness. It was not the kind of test that you can prepare for. It was a test of his readiness to follow the path the Father had mapped out for him.
The first part of the test was to leave civilization and hike out into the middle of nowhere. It was a barren land with nothing for a man to eat. Jesus followed the lead of the Spirit of God and fasted.
Day after day, night after night, he existed without food. If you have ever fasted, you know that we spend a lot of time eating during the day. We spend time shopping, thinking about what to eat, and preparing the food. Between meals, we might have a snack if we feel “hungry.”
Of course, the kind of hunger one feels between lunch and dinner is different than the hunger of days without food. The time available for other things expands when we are not eating food. We have to fill that time with something. Jesus had a lot of time on his hands during those forty days. He was not thinking about food. Instead, he was “full of the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 4:1)
The first worldly passion Jesus said “No” to was the body’s craving for food. No snacks, no breakfast, no dinner, no nothing. Matthew says that after forty days and nights without food Jesus was “hungry.” That, my friends, is real hunger.
After enduring forty days without food, Jesus is only beginning to teach us about saying “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions. The next test was to ease the physical pain of hunger by using his godly power to turn rocks into bread (Matthew 4: 2-4). Jesus would later use this power to feed thousands of people with little more than a few rocks, but now was not the time for using that power. That would be selfish.
Immediately he was tested again. ‘Prove yourself,’ was the message hissed by the Tempter. “If you are the Son of God… throw yourself down.” Have you ever doubted yourself? Have you ever wondered if you were good enough? Jesus was tempted to short circuit his passionate desire to save the world. All he had to do was prove beyond a shadow of a doubt who he was and …
… and Satan would win. Prideful arrogance is not a godly trait.
Finally, Satan offered Jesus everything he wanted. More than anything, Jesus wanted (and wants) all humanity to realize who he is. But not for the reason that Satan offered. Jesus was not looking to own humanity as if it were a possession. He came to save humanity from enslavement to Satan. What difference is it if Satan owns it all and gives it to Jesus if Satan then owns Jesus?
Jesus teaches us to say “No” to the ungodliness of self-serving desire and the passions of the flesh. He does not teach it as if we were in a classroom preparing to take a test. Instead, he taught us by submitting to his Father’s will. He did things that nobody in their right mind would want to do. He maintained his integrity before God while being a man.
Application: Practice choosing to read the Bible every day.
Food for Thought: How do you tell if something is ungodly?
We may not need to say “No” to everyone and everything. Our conscience needs the instructions of the Word of God, and the control and insight only the Holy Spirit can give in order to understand and discern what is righteous and what is ungodly in many cases.
In clear cut cases of ethics and clear delineation by the Word of God we can be assured of the difference between right and wrong. In questionable circumstances and issues the discernment necessary can be far more difficult.
Because of our sin nature it is Easy for us to deceive ourselves (Jeremiah 17:9).
But deception is not our biggest problem. In a lot of cases we sime lack the fortitude and discipline to choose obedience to God’s declared and revealed will. We willfully sin and are a disappointment to ourselves and the Lord.
It takes training, the building of habit pattern and avoidance of putting ourselves in compromising or situations in which we are more likely than not to yield to temptation to begin to see more victory.
In the Lord’s prayer Jesus instructed us to pray not to be led into temptation(Matthew 6:13).
I John 1: 9 needs to be a constant companion, as well as the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, being in the Word, the counsel of godly believers, fellowship, worship, praise, walking with the Lord in following His example, and keeping short accounts when we stumble and fail.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man (all people). And God is faithful, He will not not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it ( 1 Corinthians 10: 12-13).
Have a good day and attempt to remain positive, God is full of grace, mercy and forgiveness and really wants us to succeed, have victory, and grow in Him. I am continually amazed at His patience and care for this completely undeserving sinner.
Be Blessed and try to encourage others and be a Blessing to them,
Jeff,
I think you are on to something here: “Our conscience needs the instructions of the Word of God…
Thank you brother. I love the application of Jesus in the wilderness for this devotion.
One way to tell if something is ungodly is if we would not do it with our mother in the room. If something is ungodly it is against God and something we definitely would not see Jesus doing. It is likely motivated by one of the three ungodly traits that we see in 1 John 2: 15 – 17 (specifically verse 16).
Rich,
Thank you! I’ve always thought that the story of Jesus in the wilderness deserves more attention than it gets. It is an amazing event in the ministry of our Lord and there is much to be learned from it.
Thank you for the 1 John reference!
“15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.“
How do you tell if something is ungodly?
Ungodly is anything, even a tiny bit contrary to God’s will. Jesus came to conquer sin and the devil. He was led into the wilderness where He faced temptations greater than we face. However He did not fall to temptation and is our example, our power to victory over temptation.
Temptation will come to all believers, as we are led by the Spirit, in service to God in this wilderness. (A world system dedicated to feeding the ungodly desires of the flesh and starving our spirits.) We face temptations daily, they are not sin until acted upon in self-interest. The Bible tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. Jesus saw the sins and chose obedience to God over submission to Satans twisted lies and promises of instant gratification.
1.) Verse 4, But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” Deuteronomy 8:3,
2.) Verse 7, On the other hand, it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’” Deuteronomy 6:16
3.) Verse 10, Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Deuteronomy 6:13-14
Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, 6:13-14, James 4:7
Believers become strong as we reject the flesh and feed our spirits with the Word of God which gives us the power to quickly see and reject the temptations of this world based on the Powerful, rock solid Word of God.
Ron,
You have said it quite well: “Ungodly is anything, even a tiny bit contrary to God’s will. ” It doesn’t take much to miss the mark. On the other hand, given the state of the world, it doesn’t take much to stand out for God, either.
Excellent point Jeff. A tiny spark is like a giant floodlight.
Blessings Brother.