Week 5: OVERCOMING

By Mario Negrete

Victorious

Matthew chapter 4, verses 1-11 tells us the story of, perhaps one of the most crucial moments in earth’s history. Some may say that this moment was extremely critical to the survival of the human race because it is the only thing that truly gives us hope in these troublesome days. Matthew 4:1-2 begins to describe the setting of this intense battle between Christ and Satan, one that would set the tone for the rest of Christ’s ministry on earth as well as the gospel ministry that would proceed throughout the course of history.  The reason why this moment was so intense is because Jesus was at a moment where his mental and physical strength was depleted, and all He could do was rely on the promises of The Word of God. If Christ were to give into to His “humanity” and fail this test in any way, then the adversary could make the claim that there was absolutely no hope for the human race when it came to his snares that lead to death, destruction, and eternal hopelessness. There would no hope for the addict, no hope for the criminal, no hope for those living a “double life”, no hope for anyone trying to change anything negative about their life into something positive, and no hope for any person living on planet earth today during these difficult moments.  

​The Spirit had led Christ into the wilderness so that He could fast and pray over the work that He was about to do.  The enemy was fully aware that The Savior was at His weakest moment and recognized that the moment to assault Christ with the mightiest of his tricks and deceptions was at hand. The devil knew that if he succeeded, absolutely no one could overcome his lies and, one by one, he would be able lead the world into its certain peril. The “lesser light” gives us insight on how The Redeemer was able to resist and repel each challenge that was presented to Him. “The Desire of Ages”(DOA) tells us that the devil came into the understanding that there was “…seen in men a working power that withstood his dominion.” (White, Pg.115) “The daily sacrifice” (confession and atonement for sins through the merits of Christ), study and meditation on the gospel, prophecies, and the law (bible study), and prayer (communication with the Lord) was the only way that God’s people could resist any form of selfishness and accomplish complete meekness towards the will of God.  

​Jesus had been praying and fasting for 40 days.  E.G. White states in “DOA” that Christ was in communion with God while he prayed and fasted which lifted him above human needs and wants.  (White, pg. 116)  She also states that He was severely starving and dehydrated in the desert, had hardly any strength in his body and his senses were impaired, and he was “agonizing”.  The climate and the natural elements were grueling.  (White, pg. 116)  Matthew 4:3-11 describes the entire account of what happened on that important day.  In Matthew 4:3, the devil begins his attack by questioning Christ’s divinity.  In Matthew 4:5-6, the enemy tries to tempt Christ through the sin of “presumption” (using “faith” to justify transgression of God’s law) by misinterpreting the Holy Scriptures.  Finally, in Matthew 4:8-9, the adversary tries to tempt The Conquering Lion of Judah by offering him power and authority over the nations of the earth, something that already belonged to The Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).   

​The “greater light”(The Bible) reveals the source of Jesus’s power over Satan. Matthew 4:4, 7, and 10 express that Jesus quoted The Holy Scriptures and, with His actions, gave those words “It is written…” living power over any evil force in the world.  By knowing what God’s will was in His life by way of studying and knowing The Holy Scriptures, and through constant prayer, which authorizes God’s blessing and protection in our lives, He was able to overcome the tempter’s deceptions. Satan had disguised himself, as he always does, and appeared to Jesus as an angel of light. This was not a strange phenomenon because God the Father had always ministered to his earthly servants by way of his heavenly servants, the angels. The lesser light (DOA), tells us that when the devil spoke, he mixed divine truth and “insinuated distrust” in The Word of God. Because Jesus had been praying and was connected with God, His faith in God’s word became something that was alive, something that is real, and breaks the chains of temptation and sin.  From that moment forward, every human, when they claim any promise found in the Bible, and pray, can have a fighting chance for complete victory over any temptation at any time.

Which of God’s promises are you going to claim today?  Phillipians 4:13?  Psalm 23?  James 1:1-5?  Psalm 91?  I encourage you to get on your knees and thank God for His goodness, confess your sins to Him, and have faith that His sacrifice can forgive you of your sins and The Holy Scriptures gives you power over your current and future temptations. There is hope!  A lot of hope!   ​