How Should I Answer Temptation?

1 John 2:16 ESV For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.

• Jesus answered the desire of the flesh with Scripture

Matthew 4:4 ESV But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Deuteronomy 8:3 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.

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with a fleshly desire, whether it be a sexual temptation, substance abuse temptation, or a temptation to overeat. Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter?

• Jesus answered the desire of the eyes with Scripture

Matthew 4:10 ESV Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

Deuteronomy 6:13-14 ESV It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. (14) You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you-

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with the desire of the eyes, whether it be a job that seems like it will give us, fame, fortune, or glory. Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter?

• Jesus answered the pride of life with Scripture

Matthew 4:7 ESV Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

We ought to follow Jesus’ example when we deal with the pride of life, whether it be a gimmick in which we seek to pull the wool over someone else’s eyes for our own glorification or combating a misrepresentation of Scripture/faith . Use Scripture. How would your life be different if instead of succumbing to temptation you quoted Scripture to the tempter? Tell the tempter to “Go away!” as Jesus did.

Matthew 4:10 ESV Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! ..."