I have a definite sweet tooth, but it is selective. There are certain sweets I definitely can resist like cheesecake, pies, candy, and most cookies. I like them, but I can resist them. Cake, on the other hand, is a bit more difficult, especially chocolate cake. I can walk away for a while, but when eating a piece of cake occupies my thoughts, I know I am in trouble. There is nothing to do but help myself to a rich chocolaty piece. Giving into the temptation of eating a piece of cake may or may not be a terrible thing. Mostly it would depend on whether a diet was involved, because most diet plans do not include chocolate cake. However, choosing to eat a piece in most cases would not be a sin.

Yielding to the temptation to sin is always a terrible thing, however temptation does not always have to lead to sin. Jesus faced temptation, yet He did not sin.

After Jesus was baptized, He spent forty days fasting and communing with His Father. Spending this time in prayer and fellowship with God fed His soul and prepared Him for ministry. After forty days, Jesus was led into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil.

Satan knew Jesus had not eaten for forty days. Jesus was hungry, so Satan questioned Jesus about God’s provision. He was fully aware Jesus had the power to command stones be turned into bread so His hunger would be satisfied. Jesus did not need to wait for God to provide. He had the power to take care of it Himself. As He reacted to Satan’s temptation, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3.

“It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

Continuing in his attempts to get Jesus to sin, Satan took Jesus to Jerusalem to the pinnacle of the temple and told Him to throw Himself down. He wanted to see if God would send angels to rescue Jesus, which would prove to the world Jesus was the Son of God. However, this was not God’s plan to show the world Jesus was the Messiah, so again, Jesus’ response to Satan was found in Scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16.

“Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:7)

With Jesus’ reference, the meaning was clear that acts of disobedience should not be used to try to force God to fulfill His plan.

With one last effort, Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain, showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. He offered them to Jesus if Jesus would just fall down and worship him. Referring back to Deuteronomy 6:13, Jesus quoted…

“For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” (Matthew 4:10)

The one true God alone is worthy of worship, and having faced the last temptation, Jesus sent Satan away.

Coming to the end of this story, we realize Jesus is our ultimate example of how to face temptation without sin. Each time Satan came at Him, Jesus was ready for battle using the power of God’s Word. Not only did Jesus know the Word of God, He knew its power.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Jesus used the Word of God to battle against the temptations Satan placed before Him. The Scripture reminded Him of truth, and Jesus used the truth to combat Satan’s lies. Though tempted, He remained the sinless Son of God. Jesus was also ready for battle because He had just spent time in prayer and fellowship with His Father through forty days of fasting. His time with God was focused, allowing Him to be strengthened and ready for battle.

If you are like me, you face temptations every day. Satan sure does know the things that draw us toward sin, doesn’t he? But you do not have to fall for his deceptive lies. Like Jesus, prepare yourself for temptation. Spend time with God as you study His Word. Get to know who He is and who He created you to be. Talk with God and share your heart. He will feed your soul and strengthen you for the things He has prepared for you to do. When temptation comes, God will help you walk away without sin.

In addition to reading your Bible and praying through each day, memorize God’s Word. You know your areas of struggle, where you need encouragement, what lies you are so quick to believe. Memorize verses to combat the temptations, lies and struggles you face. Always have verses ready to help you in your time of need, so as you are reminded of God’s truth, temptations fade away, lies are seen for what they are, and God meets you in the struggle.

You do not have to face temptation alone. Yes, you will be tempted to make wrong choices each day, but you can choose to walk away from sin through the power of God and His Word.