This document summarizes Jesus' temptation in the desert by Satan as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11. It describes how Jesus was alone in the harsh desert surroundings and Satan tempted Him to doubt His identity as the Son of God, test God's protection by throwing Himself from the temple, and worship Satan in exchange for power over the kingdoms of the world. Each temptation represented an attempt to get Jesus to misuse His divine power. However, Jesus remained steadfast, resisting Satan each time by quoting scripture. The document encourages Christians that we have the same spiritual weapons Jesus used, like God's truth and willpower, to resist temptation.

1. ALONE WITH SATAN
Matthew 4:1-11
There is no surprise here in this story since we are so
familiar with it. However when we consider the story
more carefully and place beside it the fact that, when
Jesus came to live for a while as a man, His life meant, at
least, that there was no evasion of the things which test
the very fabric of human character.
Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but
was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

2. Satan’s Advantages
•Forbidding
surroundings
•He must go alone
•Personal profit

3. The Settings
• He was not led into a shaded woodland nor a green and
restful valley.
• But into a desert
• Harsh, gloomy barren wastes,
• Dreary surroundings never make it easier for anyone to
resist the devil.
• Eph 6:11 “whole armour of God”
• Eph 5:11 “no fellowship”
• Phil 4:8 “any virtue”
• 1 Peter 5:8-9 “resist steadfast in the faith”

4. Temptation of Christ
• To doubt His own place and mission
• “ If thou be the Son of God”
• Are you sure? Is it not possible that you are
mistaken?
• Romans 7:11 “taking occasion by the
commandment”
• Some today doubt their salvation
• Romans 14:23 “damned if doubt”
• 1 John 5:13 “ that ye may know..ye have eternal life”
• Hebrews 11:6 “without faith”
• Romans 10:17 “hearing by the word of God”

5. Spiritual/Physical
• It would appear at first to be harmless
• Yet Jesus knew the import
• 1 Cor 2:13 “spiritual with spiritual”
• Jesus knew the importance of sustaining the physical
yet more importantly not neglecting the spiritual
• “man shall not live by bread alone”
• He has become conscious of His own power
• By this power He would establish truth. John 17:17
• To use His power to escape discomfort
• Misuse of power, benefit no one

6. The Confidence of Jesus
• He is “THE SON OF GOD”
• Satan lets it go at that but forms a new temptation
• “nothing will happen to you”
• “there is really no need to be so cautious”
• Mark 14:38 “watch and pray”
• “Thou shall surely not die”
• It is not logical to assume our Lord to worship demons
• Satan suggests “let me be supreme”
• 1st and greatest commandment? “Love the LORD”
• Satan suggests ever so subtley;

7. • Let me shape your message
• Don’t aggravate people. Get on the popular side.
• Romans 3:8 “Let us do evil, that good may come? whose
damnation is just.”
• 1 Cor 9;16 “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory
of: for necessity is laid upon me;
yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
• 1 Cor 9:27, “bring it into subjection”
• Paul knew what it was like to be alone with Satan
• The weapons of our warfare?
• 2 Cor 10:4, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,”
• These same weapons Jesus used are at our command
• Met falsehood with truth
• Used His will power (John 7:17)
• Remained steadfast (1 Cor 15:58)