This post is written by Matt Rogers as a companion for Unit 19, Session 4 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 7: From Heaven to Earth (Spring 2023).
Temptation is a common issue for all people, whether they are Christians or not. Even if people have no concept of sin, they have a category of behaviors and thoughts that are not good for them or hinder the lifestyle they want to promote. They might speak of a temptation to eat too many sweets or a temptation to cut corners at work. These actions might not be seen as sinful offenses to a holy God, but there are things that we all know we should avoid. Even the most notorious sinner knows not to do everything that he or she wants to do all of the time.
Christians have greater categories for understanding temptation. We know that God is holy and that He has given people His law so they know how to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. They know that God’s design is good and right and that a life of obedience to Him is what’s best for them. They also know the terror of sin. They’ve seen firsthand the harm that sin brings to their lives, to those they love, and to the world around us.
Simply because Christians understand temptation, however, doesn’t mean that we fight temptation any better much of the time. Like the world around us, Christians are prone to indulge in sinful practices even though they know them to be harmful and unfit for God’s people. This makes the Christian’s indulgence into sin even worse. We know better and we have the Spirit of God living within us to help us fight. We are also given clear stories in the Bible that help us see temptation for what it truly is and understand how we should respond when we are tempted to sin.
Matthew’s Gospel records a three-scene battle between Jesus and Satan. The battle isn’t what you might expect, however. It’s not a physical battle but a spiritual one. Satan tempts Jesus to turn from God’s plan—to indulge His power to meet His needs, to show off His glory, and to claim His rightful rule over the kingdoms of this world. But Jesus, unlike us many times, stands up to these temptations and emerges without sin. Each time Jesus is tempted, He counters Satan’s attack with the word of God. He proves that He will be one who will faithfully obey God’s plan throughout His life. As an obedient Son, Jesus proves to be the One who can save all of us as disobedient people. His perfect life allows Him to give that righteous standing to His people when they turn to Him for salvation. Had Jesus sinned, He would have nothing to give us since another sinner could not save. But Jesus wasn’t just another sinner who would give in to temptation. He is God. His sinless standing before God can now be ours if we only believe. Those who do believe, then, are given His Spirit, and this Spirit compels us to honor Him by fighting sin and pursuing the righteousness Jesus modeled.
Matt Rogers is the pastor of Christ Fellowship Cherrydale in Greenville, South Carolina. He and his wife, Sarah, have five children: Corrie, Avery, Hudson, Willa, and Fuller. Matt is also an assistant professor of church planting at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Director of Church Health with the Pillar Network, and a freelance author.
