As God’s children, knowing who we are in Christ is essential for our spiritual success. If we don’t know the Truth, God’s Word, we won’t know God or ourselves, which can result in spiritual damage. We find Jesus tempted by Satan in Matthew 4:1-11. Although He is God, He was led by the Spirit to be tempted with the same three temptations common to man. In addition, Jesus models for us three basic human needs that can help us understand ourselves in relationship to God.

Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV):

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you,
 and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

Let’s review:

• Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit
• He fasted, then he was tempted
• He knew who He was and was sure of His relationship with His Father
• He knew the Truth, word of God, and used it to defeat the tempter

As we can see, Jesus was tempted with the same temptations we face today. We are not alone in our struggles. Although He is God, He understands us because He experienced it Himself. Hebrews 2:17 says, “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” (NIV) Don’t you just love that? He did it for us. He did it for you!

Let’s look at the three common temptations and how these are rooted in three basic human needs:

1. Primitive Level – Human Need to Trust

Tempter says, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Truth says, “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” – Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)

This temptation is rooted at the primitive level; the human need to trust. The first thing the tempter mentions is bread. How we love our food! But it goes beyond the belly. We are like infants in great need to be taken care of. It’s about being able to attach to someone who we trust and feel safe. We long to be able to trust others, but with imperfect relationships come feelings of disappointment.

Unfortunately, we tend to view God from that same tainted lens. That’s where the tempter comes in and brings in fear masked by worry. We worry about what we will eat, wear and how we will pay next month’s mortgage, etc. You see, we are hard wired for survival. If we go back to the beginning, Adam and Eve took matters into their own hands. They did not trust God. They jumped the gun and began wandering in the Ifs… We know the results – separation from God.

Trust God: God will provide your basic needs (Philippians 4:19) – Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35)

2. Relational Level – Human Need for Love

Tempter says, If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you,
 and they will lift you up in their hands,
 so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Truth says, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.” – Deuteronomy 6:16 (NIV)

In this second temptation, the tempter brings about our need for relationship – to be loved. God created us for relationship with Him and others. It’s interesting that Satan would tempt Jesus’ knowledge of who God is. You see, if we don’t know God, we don’t know ourselves. In this temptation, we find that when there is relationship with God, there is a sense of safety. Safety is built on trust. Trust is built on relationship.

Jesus knew God; he knew that God was trustworthy, so there was no need to test God’s character. Why? Because His relationship was built on love! God loved His Son. Jesus had a relationship with His Father. Therefore, He did not need to please others nor please His own pride by tempting God.

Receive God’s Love: God loves you (John 3:16) – He will protect you (2 Samuel 22:3-4)

3. Core Level – Human Need for Identity

Tempter says, “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Truth says, “Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.” – Deuteronomy 6:13 (NIV)

The last temptation deals with our core need for identity. Notice how the tempter uses the word “if” in all his statements. He tries to confuse us by instilling doubt about our identity in Christ. As humans we are in a quest to understand who we are, what we were created for and for our purpose in life. It is so vital for us to Biblically define our beliefs about God, self and others. We cannot be defined without Christ. Being rooted in Christ means knowing the fear of God, which is the motivation for all decisions.  Not knowing our true identity will lead to self-indulgence, search for power, bowing down to idols, which leaves us with a false sense of identity.

Embrace Your Identity in Christ: You are chosen (1 Peter 2:9) – You are worthy (1 Corinthians 6:11)

I do pray that after reading this your eyes may be opened to see the importance of knowing that the tempter is out to deceive, but that you are a conqueror because of Christ. Remember, the tempter always has a secondary plan or gain that leads us toward destruction. In order to gain, we have to give a part of ourselves. Is that worth it? After everything that Christ done for us will we allow these temptations to lure us in? I pray we keep our focus on Christ. He will give us the daily strength to endure and defeat the tempter. But we have to believe who we are in Christ. If you doubt your identity, practice believing God’s truth by reading and meditating on it daily. With time, it will become rooted in your mind, heart and soul.

(Listen to God’s I am Promises here)

Rest in His Word: Jeremiah 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (NIV)

Heart Checkup:

• List two ways you have been tempted in each of the three categories.
• How have you tried to defeat the temptation?