Jesus overcame temptation.

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Central Truth

Jesus faced temptation but didn’t sin. This should bring us tremendous hope. In Christ, we are freed from the power of sin. Though we will continue to be tempted, we don’t have to sin because Christ’s Holy Spirit lives in us and can lead us into righteousness. If we do sin, there’s forgiveness. If we resist temptation, there’s power from God for righteousness. 

Key Question

How is temptation different from sin?

Keep in Mind

To be the perfect sacrifice for our sins, Jesus was faithful where Adam failed. Where the children of Israel failed during their forty years in the wilderness, Jesus was faithful during His forty days in the wilderness. Though tempted at all points we are, Jesus is without sin. This not only qualified Him to be the suitable sacrifice for our sins, but this also made Him the perfect person to help us when we’re tempted. 

The devil offered Jesus food without faith in God, recognition from the Jews without rejection, and a global kingdom without a gruesome cross. Using the truth of God’s Word, Jesus resisted each temptation and remained faithful to God’s plan for Him. With Christ’s Spirit living in us, we too can use God’s Word to resist temptation and remain faithful to God’s plans for our lives.

APPLICATION

Considering Jesus’s example in the wilderness, what’s a practical way for us to resist temptation?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: There’s no use hoping temptations will disappear—they won’t. But Jesus came to conquer temptation and give us power through His Spirit to do the same. Christ is available to us to help us when we’re tempted to find the way out of temptation and into the will of God. 

FOR THE LEADER: Jesus’s example shows us that we have to put up a fight against temptation. As leaders, we’re called to equip students to fight with God’s Word, beside God’s people, and through the leading of God’s Holy Spirit.