Submitted by Sam Nobles
“Then
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.
After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry. Then the tempter
approached Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to
become bread." But He answered, ‘It is written: Man must not
live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:1-4 HCSB)
As far as I’m concerned there’s
nothing wrong with being hungry – especially after fasting for 40 days! Not to
mention if you have the power to turn stones to bread why would that be a
temptation? Why would that be bad?
Temptation begins in what we
have a desire for because none of us would be tempted to do something we have
no desire for (James 1:12-15). Therefore,
natural, normal, and good desires can and will be exploited and hijacked by the
devil – even something as simple as being hungry.
·
Desire for rest can become laziness.
·
Desire for righteousness can become anger.
·
Desire for companionship can become adultery,
premarital sex, or lust.
·
Desire for comfort can become greed and
covetousness.
·
Desire for acceptance can become envy and
jealousy.
There are more important things
in this life other than what I want or desire. Seeking the kingdom of God
first, giving it priority, will allow you to receive those things that you
rightly desire in the right way at the right time (Matthew
6:33). This is not the method of getting rich materially, but
rather the way that your desires line up with God’s desires.
If Jesus had used the power
given Him by the Father to turn stones into bread, it would be Him acting
independently of the Father, at the word of Satan, to fulfill a fleshly desire,
even though the desire is completely natural. Every day we have human desires
that hold the capabilities to draw us out of the will of the Father. My desires
will try to take short-cuts to grant me temporary satisfaction.
A fireplace is the correct place
for a fire to be inside of the house, but that same fire on the livingroom
floor would bring about horrible ramifications. Just remember that a good and
right thing can be wrong if it is out of place.
Scripture to Claim:
“If
one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be
counted as a curse to him.” (Proverbs 27:14 HCSB
